Covid-19 regulations extended until July
This means those regulations that were set to drop after 30 days a month ago, remain in place for a further three months
Indoor mask wearing, limited gatherings and international travel regulations will remain in force until 5 July.
This was announced by the government late last night (Wednesday) as Health Minister Dr Joe Phaala announced a three month extension to the public consultation period for health regulations.
ALSO READ: Sanral suspends toll fees at oThongathi and Mvoti plazas
This means those regulations that were set to drop after 30 days a month ago, remain in place for a further three months.
The new closing date for submission of comments relating to the Surveillance and Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions; Public Measures in
Ports of Entry; Management of Human Remains and Environmental Health is 5 July 2022.
Comments must be sent to legalreviews@health.gov.za and those who have already submitted comments need not do so again.
How the extension will affect South Africans
1. Mask wearing
Masks must be worn when entering and inside an indoor public place.
This does not apply to children at school.
No one can use public transport without wearing a mask.
2. Gatherings
Gatherings are defined as planned assembly or meeting at a particular venue involving 100 people or more.
For any indoor and outdoor gatherings, a maximum of 50% of the venue capacity may be occupied, provided every attendee is vaccinated against Covid-19 and can produce a valid vaccination certificate.
Alternatively, attendees must produce a negative PCR test for Covid-19 not older than 72 hours.
When compliance with these indoor regulations are not possible, attendance is limited to 1 000 people or 50% of the venue capacity, whichever is smaller.
Attendance at an outdoor gathering is limited to 2 000 people or 50% of the venue’s capacity, whichever comes first.
3. Travel
All international travellers arriving at South African ports of entry must be vaccinated against Covid-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 PCR test not older than 72 hours before date of departure.
Alternatively, travellers can produce a valid negative antigen test no older than 48 hours before date of departure.
Failing either of these, travellers will be subjected to an antigen test at the port of entry.
‘The department would like to remind people that, despite the current process to source public comments on the health regulations, there is still an imperative to provide options to manage the Covid-19 pandemic and other notifiable medical conditions without invoking the state of national disaster,’ said the government statement.
Full regulations can be found here
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
