President Cyril Ramaphosa sat down for what was the last family meeting regarding COVID-19 under the National State of Disaster. As of midnight tonight, 4 April, the National State of Disaster will fall away – however, some transitional regulations will apply.
Here’s what Uncle Cyril had to say:
President Ramaphosa began by expressing what the original National State of Disaster (SoD)was intended for as well as what it achieved. He included mention of how it provided time to develop infrastructure to manage the pandemic at its worst and most unknown phases, and how the effectiveness of the initial SoD regulations saved countless lives. He added that it allowed for the special relief grant of R350 to come into effect as well as the relief to small businesses and educational institutions amongst other benefits. “All of these were necessary” he expressed.
However, “the great cost to society and the economy” that the SoD entailed came with the intention to manage, respond and save lives during the pandemic. The president expressed that in our democratic society, these powers are temporary and limited, and maintained “only as long as they are absolutely necessary.”
The president announced that although we have entered a new phase of the pandemic, the State of Disaster is set to fall away at midnight.
This decision came from evidence that the pandemic had changed in nature, with the most evidence stemming from the fourth wave in December and January. Ramaphosa noted that while there were higher case numbers, the severity, hospitalisations and deaths related to these were far fewer – presenting a downward trend.
Although we are at the end of the finish line regarding the SoD, post-pandemic transitions are set to be in place.
The National Health Act will have newer regulations set to manage the pandemic, and these amendments are open for public comment on the government gazette until 16 April. In the interim, some ‘lockdown’ regulations will still apply for the next 30 days from tonight as part of ‘post-disaster recovery’.
These include:
- Face masks still being compulsory (indoors)
- Restrictions on gatherings (50% capacity still applies, and 1000 people indoors maximum, 2000 outdoors maximum)
- Existing provisions with respect to international travel will resume as well as proof of vaccination or a PCR test)
- The R350 social relief grant will remain in place
- Directions for the extension of various drivers’ and learners licenses will remain in place
What will fall away?
Regulations on the isolation of persons including:
- On schools and access to old age homes
- On public transport
- Initiation practices
- Cargo transportation,
- And lastly, on the criminalisation of non-adherence to these rules.
The end of the National State of Disaster also means that the Coronavirus Alert Levels will no longer apply.
“There is one last measure that will outlive the National State of Disaster,” the president added, in light of the COVID-19 Vaccine Injury No-Fault Compensation Scheme.
“This Scheme was brought into force in April last year to provide quick and easy access to compensation to any person who suffers a serious injury because of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine,” he explained.
Of finally reaching the end of the race, the president stated with optimism that:
“The end of the National State of Disaster is a firm statement of our determination to live our lives and rebuild our country even as this virus remains in our midst.”
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc Gallery