For the first time since the SA government started using lockdown restrictions to respond to rising Covid-19 cases, it has erred on the side of caution
and used pragmatism in its response to the latest Omicron Covid-19 variant.
This is because such restrictions have always been imposed without consultation with the affected economic sectors, putting many businesses and jobs at risk. However well intentioned, decisions made without consultation always have unintended, often negative and sometimes disastrous consequences. This time around, faced with the new variant, government is finding itself between a rock and a hard place. Daily cases are rising and the emergence of the Omicron variant means the forecast fourth wave is likely imminent. However, while government and the scientific community gather more information about the variant, it is evident that any move to tighten restrictions would be premature.
The nature of the virus means there will inevitably be new variants, and as things stand it is impractical to assume the virus will be completely eradicated in the foreseeable future. The most potent response to rising cases other than lockdown restrictions is to accelerate vaccination and encourage continued adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions of wearing a mask in public places and sanitising.
Government has been given a window period before the onset of the expected fourth wave to ramp up its Covid-19 inoculation campaign. SA, like most African nations, has seen a sluggish uptake in vaccinations despite an increase in supplies. The current excess supplies could be used to offer third doses to the most vulnerable, including those aged 50 and above, so that we continue to fortify the immunity of the most vulnerable section of the population.
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