CAPE TOWN- After more than 750 days, South Africans will no longer be under a National State of Disaster.
The pandemic will now be managed in terms of existing legislation and regulations, together with the measures currently being contemplated in terms of the National Health Act.
In his address on Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the draft Health Regulations had been published for public comment and once the period for public comment closed on April 16, the new regulations would be finalised and promulgated.
“Since the requirements for a National State of Disaster to be declared in terms of the Disaster Management Act are no longer met, Cabinet has decided to terminate the National State of Disaster with effect from midnight tonight (Monday). Certain transitional provisions will remain in place for a period of 30 days after the termination of the National State of Disaster to ensure essential public health precautions and other necessary services are not interrupted while the new regulations are finalised,” he said.
These include wearing a face mask in indoor public spaces, indoor and outdoor venues allowing up to 50% of their capacity without any maximum limit, provided that proof of vaccination or a Covid-19 test not older than 72 hours is required for entrance to the venue.
Where there is no provision for proof of vaccination or a test, then the current upper limit of 1 000 people indoors and 2 000 outdoors will remain.
Travellers entering South Africa will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. If a traveller does not submit a vaccine certificate or proof of a negative Covid-19 test, they will be required to do an antigen test on arrival.
If they test positive for Covid-19, they will need to isolate for 10 days.
The directions that provide for the payment of the special R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant will remain in place.
While the government was doing away with most measures, Ramaphosa said the Covid-19 Vaccine Injury No-Fault Compensation Scheme would outlive the National State of Disaster.
“This scheme was brought into force in April last year to provide quick and easy access to compensation to any person who suffers a serious injury as a result of receiving a Covid-19 vaccine. The Covid-19 Vaccine Injury No-Fault Compensation Scheme, which is administered by the Department of Health, will continue after the National State of Disaster ends. The Scheme will only be terminated once it has achieved its purpose.”
Just over 33.8 million vaccine doses had been administered, and 17.5 million adults hade been fully vaccinated.
“This means that 44% of the adult population is fully vaccinated,” said Ramaphosa.
This percentage rises to 62% for people over the age of 50, who were most vulnerable to severe illness or death.
“The end of the National State of Disaster is an important milestone in our fight against the pandemic. It is a sign of the progress we have made together and a reminder of what our nation has endured. The end of the National State of Disaster is a firm statement of our determination to live our lives and rebuild our country even as this virus remains in our midst.
“Although the pandemic is not over, and although we continue to remain cautious, we can be confident that we are in a better position now than we have been at any other time over the last 750 days.
“We are hopeful that the worst is behind us, and we are confident that there are only better days ahead. Now is the time to grow our economy and create jobs. Now is the time to get our country back on track,” he said.
Cape Times