A few days ago, it was announced that the government is considering easing the remaining COVID-19 restrictions.
SEE MORE: COVID-19: Department Of Health Concerned Over Rising Infections
Health Minister Joe Phaahla previously published a letter on social media, where he makes a request to provincial health authorities for their views on whether South Africa should repeal its Covid-19 regulations.
Well, the remaining Covid-19 regulations have been lifted. The health minister published several changes to the COVID-19 regulations. He has dropped limitations on gatherings, testing, and vaccination requirements for visitors coming into the country. This includes entry certificates that were placed at certain venues and entry points. Venues will now be filled at full capacity.
The regulations were implemented as part of the national state disaster since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The most exciting part about this is that masks are no longer a requirement, both indoors and outdoors. Joe Phaahla has issued these changes in the government gazette.
His decision follows a meeting of the National Coronavirus Command Council, which contemplated
in on whether the remaining Covid-19 regulations were still applicable.
While many are happy to be taking off the mask officially, others are questioning whether it might be a trap. Authelia Mopai says: ‘’why would they take a huge COVID-19 relief loan, then tell us that masks are no longer relevant? This is a trap by government so that the numbers get high, and then they will come up with mandatory vaccination policy ones the number of infections increase’’.
Unfortunately, learners might have to continue wearing masks, especially in the classrooms, as the Department of Health has retrogressed on the facemasks mandate in schools. Therefore, children must continue adhering with wearing the mask inside the classroom and other indoor gatherings.
Minister Joe Phaahla is anticipated to give a detailed media briefing this morning around 11am alongside Minister in the presidency, Mondli Gungubele.
