President Cyril Ramaphosa has lifted South Africa’s national state of disaster, but masks must still be worn in indoor public settings. The announcement comes more than two years after it was first declared as a response to the high infection and death rate that had gripped the country. The first state of disaster came into effect on 15 March 2020.
In the evening address to the nation Ramaphosa yesterday said the national state of disaster was very necessary as the number of lives lost kept increasing as well as the infection rate. The lockdown restrictions were also very important and played a part in fighting the pandemic.
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The state of disaster has created the R350 relief social grant which supports the unemployed and has been extended. It has assisted in the extension of drivers’ licences and other necessary changes. He however noted that the state of disaster has limited powers and now that the country is moving into a new phase, Ramaphosa asked people to still be responsible. While the virus is still circulating among people, the hospitalisation numbers and the fatalities have declined significantly.
Ramaphosa said people are still expected to wear masks when they are in an indoor public space. “A mask is not required when outdoor. Indoor and outdoor venues can take 50% of their capacity, provided that proof of vaccination or a Covid-19 test not older than 72 hours is shown to enter the venue.”
Source: News24, Business Tech, Eyewitness News, image from Business Tech
