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BL Premium reports that Department of Health (DOH) Minister Joe Phaahla has proposed scrapping the coronavirus regulations that require mask wearing indoors, limit the size of gatherings and stipulate testing and vaccination requirements for travellers to SA.
These last remaining regulations have been heavily criticised by the tourism and leisure sector for continuing to affect businesses struggling to regain a footing after more than two years of restrictions. In a leaked memo to health MECs, dated 20 June, the minister said SA had exited the recent spike in cases, or fifth wave, which the current regulations were promulgated to mitigate. The regulations, published in the Government Gazette on 4 May, were brought in at a time when new cases were rising rapidly and the status of the epidemic was “very concerning and unpredictable”. The latest epidemiological analysis indicated that as of mid-June there was a decline in the key indicators monitored by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. The DOH consulted the national coronavirus command council on 20 June and proposed that the regulations no longer needed to be in place. The recommendations would be discussed with the cabinet in the next 48-72 hours, Phaahla indicated.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Tamar Kahn at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
- See too, Health Minister Joe Phaahla recommends scrapping Covid-19 regulations as SA exits 5th wave, at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page