South Africa may face Covid deregulation, but the question remains: is the country ready for it? According to a letter from Health Minister Dr. Joe Fahl sent out by the MEC, the country is out of the fifth wave and may consider lifting Covid-19 rules. The minister’s spokesman, Dr. Tshvale, said the document was confidential and intended for consultation between the minister and his cabinet colleagues. “It [from] consensus with MEC that Minister make recommendations to National Coronavirus Command Council [NCCC] and office,” he said. Cape Town Mayor Jordin Hill-Lewis said the claim was true and the city welcomed the national…
South Africa may face Covid deregulation, but the question remains: is the country ready for it?
According to a letter from Health Minister Dr. Joe Fahl sent out by the MEC, the country is out of the fifth wave and may consider canceling Covid-19. regulations.
The minister’s spokesman, Dr. Tshvale, said the document was confidential and intended for consultation between the minister and his cabinet colleagues.
“It [from] consensus with MEC that Minister make recommendations to National Coronavirus Command Council [NCCC] and office,” he said.
Cape Town Mayor Jordin Hill-Lewis said the claim was true and the city welcomed the national government’s belated decision to cancel the remaining COVID-19 restrictions.
Lewis said he was asked to read the Health Secretary’s letter and called on all MECs, the Cabinet and President Cyril Ramaphosa to support Faahla’s recommendations and implement them without further delay.
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“The country has clearly come out of the fifth wave of infections. In addition to this, the death and hospitalization rates in the January and May waves were lower than the previous ones, although most restrictions have already been lifted,” he said.
“The continued restriction on the freedom of South Africans to decide whether or not to wear masks and limit their presence at large gatherings is not rationally relevant to saving lives and is thus unjustified.”
It is now mandatory to wear masks indoors, including shopping malls and public transport.
There was also a 50 percent capacity of the number of people allowed into the establishment if people were completely filled. vaccinatedor if people could show negative tests for Covid.
In the letter, Faala also recommended that the country drop entry requirements for travelers.
Travelers are currently expected to present a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid test.
Finally come to terms with reality. An effective end to Covid restrictions. Now let’s work on the collateral economic and other damage that was self-inflicted due to the stubbornness of not following science. pic.twitter.com/Z57XHOVd9k— Shabir Madhi (@ShabirMadh) June 20, 2022
Dr Angelique Coetzee, who discovered the omicron variant in December, said it makes sense not to wear masks outdoors, but if it happens indoors, it is the responsibility of the individual to understand their role and the risks associated with being in places where there is poor ventilation.
“In the end, citizens have to decide how they want to protect their health or protect themselves,” she said.
Coetzee said that regarding the recommendation not to wear a mask, it is important to at least ensure that proper masks are used in health care facilities and public transport.
“It helps and we need to make sure we protect people. This will protect against the flu and other diseases,” she said.
Efficient Group Chief Economist Davy Rudt said Covid deregulation would have a “huge impact” on South Africa’s economy as it bolsters sectors of the economy that are still performing poorly.
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“Tourism is one of the biggest ones that is quickly coming back and we need to do more to support it,” he said.
Tourist accommodation statistics for April released by Statistics South Africa show that revenues from the tourist accommodation industry grew by 53.4% in April this year compared to April last year.
Rudt said people were unhappy with the procedures when they had to visit South Africa or go abroad.
“These are things that make it difficult and discourage people from visiting,” he said.
South Australian Hospitality Federation Chairperson Rosemary Anderson said it was long overdue for the restrictions to be lifted given they were put in place to reduce strain on the healthcare system. “The hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit.”
It is expected that an extraordinary Coordinating Council under the President will be held today, at which the provisions will be discussed.
Additional reporting on Kgomotso Phuko
