The DA's head of policy, Gwen Ngwenya, says the country has to consider implementing sector-specific protocols, which will help with a gradual and responsible reopening of the economy.
Ngwenya, who joined interim leader John Steenhuisen and chief whip in Parliament Natasha Mazzone in a Coronacast, said the DA's smart lockdown plan, which it promoted last month, could not work due to a lack of credible information.
"What we have said is, if we cannot provide credible data to trigger each level of lockdown, we then do need to balance saving lives and livelihoods because we risk as many lives from Covid-related economic risks, as well as the non-Covid health risks that are exacerbated by a stringent lockdown," said Ngwenya.
Making an example of e-commerce, Ngwenya said Level 4 of the lockdown had to be revised, resulting in "a level within a level."
Ngwenya said the right approach would be for the economy to open with non-pharmaceutical intentions such as physical distancing, washing of hands and applying sector-specific health protocols.
