South Africans are no longer required to wear face masks and limits on gatherings have been suspended, effectively putting an end to COVID-19 regulations.
SA govt drops face masks mandate: Here’s what you need to know
Health Minister Joe Phaahla is scheduled to hold a press briefing, on Thursday, where he is expected to formally announce the decision taken to do away with three main regulations related to the surveillance and the control of notifiable medical conditions.
In the government gazette published on Wednesday, the health minister rescinded regulations:
- 16A: Face masks in public and indoor spaces;
- 16B: Public gatherings; and
- 16C: PCR testing and other COVID-19 measures at entry points (airports, etc.)
According to a leaked memorandum drafted by the health minister, the low COVID-19 infection rates from what was supposed to be the fifth wave were a huge contributing factor that lent credence to Phaahla’s decision to call for an end to the remaining restrictions.
Under the new rules, a semblance of normalcy will return to South Africa, where face masks are not required in public and indoor spaces. Also, there will be no cap placed on the number of people allowed inside indoor and outdoor venues.
Perhaps, most important, is the repeal of PCR testing and COVID-19 vaccine certificates at South African entry points.
Despite the end of COVID-19 regulations, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) continues to track daily infection rates. According to statistics gathered in the 24 hours preceding Wednesday, South Africa’s COVID-19 positivity rate is at 5.3%, with 1 028 cases recorded from 19 244 tests.
A total of 57 COVID-19-related deaths were recorded in the period, six of which occurred between Sunday, 19 June 2022 and Tuesday.
Gauteng and the Western Cape lead the pack as the two provinces with the highest daily infections. Here is a look at the latest COVID-19 figures:
#COVID19 UPDATE: 19,244 tests were conducted in the last 24hrs, with 1,028 cases, which represents a 5.3% positivity rate. Today @HealthZA reports 57 deaths; of which 6 occurred in the past 24–48 hrs. Total fatalities are 101,697 to date: https://t.co/lXjW9LUFRf pic.twitter.com/2DhlkB7acD
— NICD (@nicd_sa) June 22, 2022
