Minister Patel: SA To Re-open Agriculture Sector, Allow More Manufacturing, Retail and Mining Operations

Charles Molele

An estimated 1.5 million workers in agriculture, manufacturing and retail sectors will return to work on May 01 as the country begins to move to the 4^th Level stage of the national lockdown, Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Saturday.

The trade and industry minister was presenting details contained in the government’s COVID-19 Risk Adjustment Strategy, which is currently out for public comment and consultation.

 “In agriculture, forestry and fishing, that whole sector will begin to reopen, and that will include forestry as well as horticulture and the transport of livestock and animal auctions,” Patel said during a joint briefing with COGAT Minister Dr Nkosazan Dlamini-Zuma.

“In manufacturing, there will a further partial opening of the sectors. The sectors will not be open 100% during level four because we need to give firms an opportunity for phased return to work. As a broad baseline 20%