The risk of recurring COVID-19 resurgences that threaten Africa’s healthcare systems, newly opened communities, schools, and businesses looms as communities abandon precautionary measures such as mask-wearing, physical distancing and regular hand washing. In this piece, we unpack the handling of both the first wave and subsequent resurgence in the context of three countries that are experiencing such a resurgence at the time of writing (December 2020) Israel, France, and the United Kingdom. While it is difficult to extrapolate on what to expect in South Africa based on experience in these three countries, South Africa’s preparedness for a COVID-19 resurgence should place emphasis on the role of expanded testing and isolation capacity, strengthening enforcement of adherence to non-pharmaceutical interventions and protection of high-risk populations.