Health Minister, Joe Phaahla recently cancelled COVID-19 regulations relating to the wearing of face masks, gatherings and persons entering the country.
The regulations were promulgated by the Minister on 4 May in the Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions. President Cyril Ramaphosa in a national address in April said the regulations would be eased gradually.
The gazetting of the regulations means that the wearing of face masks in any public-use indoor space or when on public transport is no longer required.
On gatherings, people congregating in public spaces will no longer be limited to certain numbers.
The regulations stipulated that a maximum of 50% of the venue capacity may be occupied, provided that every attendee must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate. Alternatively, they could produce a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of the gathering.
Regarding limitations on people entering the country, the regulations required that any person entering the country be vaccinated against COVID-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate.
Alternatively, this group of people needed to produce a valid certificate of a negative PCR COVID-19 test not older than 72 hours before the date of departure.
Minister Phaahla reminded South Africans of the importance of vaccinating for COVID-19.
“We just need to end with caution that the COVID-19 virus is not yet gone; it is still in our midst; we are just stronger than before, especially with vaccination, and we urge those not yet vaccinated to come forward and those due for boosters to also come forward,” he said.
The Minister added that the vaccination program will remain and is now being integrated into normal health services.
“We urge all leaders of society and organisers of events to work with our health workers to promote healthy lifestyle and know your status, which is - blood pressure, blood sugar, cancer, HIV and COVID-19.” –SAnews.gov.za
Email
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp