The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) has welcomed the decline in South Africa’s covid-19 infections, as the country adjusts its Level 3 lockdown regulations, however, it has cautioned that South Africa is not yet out of the woods.

On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing of the regulations owing to the subsidence of the second wave and the decrease in the number of infections. South Africa also received its first consignment of covid-19 vaccines.

Ramaphosa also announced a lifting of the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol.

The union hopes that people will drink responsibly to lessen the strain on the country’s healthcare system.

Nehawu said while they welcomed the decline in infection numbers, the current numbers are still much higher than during the hard lockdown last year.   

“The easing down of restrictions and the securing of vaccines does not mean we must let our guards down. All hands must be on deck in order to flatten the curve and stop new infections,” the union said.

It is engaging with its members and workers on the upcoming vaccination programme and is encouraging them to get vaccinated.

Nehawu has also urged government to revive the economy while dealing with the pandemic, noting that about 2.2-million jobs were lost during the lockdown and warned that more will be lost if a progressive economic recovery plan is not implemented urgently.

It pleaded with government to also address the issue of the non-payment of salary increases that were due on April 1, 2020 and said it was unhappy that government and the Department of Health seemed to be slow to implement a danger allowance or a moral incentive.

“These are workers who have gone beyond the call of duty to screen, test and treat our people during the pandemic. Our members and workers continue to give their best even when faced with understaffing, lack of psychosocial services, exhaustion and life threatening situations,” the union stated.