Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said he will make clear on Wednesday the Western Cape government’s position in favour of the removal of the remaining Covid-19 restrictions during proceedings at the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC).

Winde welcomed the convening of the PCC by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but said it could have been done earlier.

The premier wrote a letter to Ramaphosa in May and again earlier this month, calling for an urgent PCC meeting to table the latest data in support of the complete removal of the remaining lockdown restrictions.

“Finally we may now see an end to all Covid-19 curbs, as I have consistently called for. But it has to be emphasised, it is disappointing that it has taken so long,” he said.

Winde explained that the province’s data has indicated that lockdown restrictions, such as mask-wearing and gathering restrictions, are no longer required to protect the healthcare system.

He said the responsibility falls to individuals to use all the knowledge learnt over the last two years of the pandemic.

“We should all expect far greater agility from the national government if we are to get our economy growing and create the jobs we need to recover,” he stressed.

The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape joined Winde in calling for the complete removal of Covid-19 restrictions, saying these restrictions are not only unnecessary for public health, but are damaging to the livelihoods of the thousands who work in the sporting and cultural sectors.

“The lifting of restrictions cannot come soon enough. This past weekend saw the United Rugby Championship final take place with greatly reduced attendance as a result of these restrictions. If they are not lifted, a similar fate will befall many major sporting events scheduled to take place in the Western Cape in the next few months. The removal of these restrictions is, therefore, a key component in getting the Province’s economy back on track,” said DA Western Cape spokesperson for Cultural Affairs and Sport Gillion Bosman.

Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla is also of the view that mask-wearing is no longer needed, following a decline in the number of reported Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

In a letter addressed to Health MECs he also proposed that limitations on gatherings be lifted, as well as entry limitations to venues.

The Health Department will meet with Cabinet to discuss the recommendations.