Just before the old regulations linked to South Africa’s National State of Disaster fell away, a new set of regulations were issued in the nick of time – thwarting some people’s hopes that they would be able to get rid of their masks for good.
In theory, all regulations were set to expire following President Ramaphosa’s announcement on 4 April that SA was finally free from our State of Disaster as implemented during the pandemic. The government gave itself a 30 day transition period and then foreshadowed that there would be new regulations to look out for after public comment.
A spokesperson from the department, Foster Mohale, said that “the department is aware of the lapsing of the 30-day period of transitional measures, we can confirm that we will publish the new amendment health regulations by midnight today. Whether there are new rules or instruments what people should know is that we still have COVID-19, we don’t have to lower our guard,” as per jacarandafm.
Coming in at the last minute with the new regulations, the Government made its move in a gazetted piece shared just before midnight.
Also read:SoD rules officially end at midnight but new regulations await SA
Here’s what the new regulations deem mandatory as per the government notice:
Face masks:
“A person must, when entering and being inside an indoor public place wear a face mask” it reads. This also applies to any for of public transport.
If the Minister of Health deems that the measures in the regulation aren’t necessary anymore, he can allow this regulation to fall away.
Gatherings to contain the spread of COVID-19:
Any indoor gatherings may only occupy 50% of the venue at maximum, and every attendee must be vaccinated and provide proof in the form of a valid vaccination certificate or a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test obtained not more than 72 hours before the gathering.
Attendance at the indoor gathering “shall be limited to 1000 people or 50% of the capacity, whichever is smaller” if the above is not complied with.
Outdoor gatherings follow a similar suit with the same 50% capacity note and vaccination requirements. Outdoor gatherings shall be limited to 2000 people or 50% of the capacity, whichever is smaller, if the above is not complied with.
Travel regulations:
All international travellers need to be vaccinated and provide a valid vaccination certificate or a negative antigen or PCR COVID-19 test obtained not more than 72 hours before the travel date. For the negative antigen test, it must be obtained not more than 48 hours before the departure date.
Travellers can also produce a valid certificate of a positive PCR COVID-19 test for a test that happened less than 90 days prior to the arrival date, and more than 10 days prior to the arrival date with a signed letter from a health care provider. The letter must be registered in the country of origin and express the patient’s recovery, as per the gazette.
Also read:
City clinics to make flu vaccines available ahead of the winter season
Picture: Pexels