On 4 April, President Ramaphosa announced that South Africa was finally ‘free’ from lockdown’s regulations – and what marked the longest 21 days of our lives that bordered nearly two years for our country through the National State of Disaster.
Also read: At long last: National State of Disaster falls away in South Africa
A transition period was also implemented from the announcement’s time, giving the government and Department of Health 30 days to finalise new health regulations.
The 30 day period technically finishes at midnight, which in theory would mean that lockdown regulations would completely fall away, par any new regulations relating to our health structures. Many people assumed that midnight would mark the end of masks for good, however the Department of Health has another surprise on the cards for SA.
In a late update made today, the department has noted that before the new regulations fade into our memories, new regulations will sweep in to take their place by midnight tonight.
A spokesperson from the department, Foster Mohale, says 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.
Nicholas Crisp, deputy director-general at the department of health additionally expressed that the new regulations would be announced before the old ones fall away as BusinessInsider reports.
Whether the new rules come into play in the nick of time before it’s out with the old, or as the clock strikes midnight is up for speculation, however we may need to hold back on any mask throw-away celebrations until the clock strikes.
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Picture: Cape {town} Etc Gallery