South Africans will have to continue wearing face-masks in indoor public spaces for now. The National Department of Health announced limited regulations on Wednesday an hour before current COVID-19 regulations were due to expire at midnight. 

These limited restrictions, which come into effect on Thursday, mainly focus on wearing of face masks, gatherings and persons entering the country.

“South Africans must continue wearing face masks in indoor public spaces. However, this does not apply to children at school. Under these limited regulations, no person may use any form of public transport unless wearing a face mask,” the Health Department said in a statement.

At  any indoor and outdoor gatherings, venues can accommodate people to a maximum of 50% of its capacity if  every attendee is vaccinated against COVID-19 and can produce a valid vaccination certificate. A valid negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours prior to the date of the gathering is also acceptable.

If these requirements can’t be met, attendance at indoor gatherings will be limited to 1000 people or 50% of the capacity, whichever is smaller. Attendance at an outdoor gathering will be limited to 2000 people or 50% of the capacity, whichever is smaller.

International travellers entering SA must be vaccinated

All international travellers must be able to provide a valid vaccination certificate, or a valid negative PCR COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours before the date of departure.

“Alternatively, travellers have another option of producing a valid negative antigen COVID-19 test result performed by a medical practitioner, registered public health authority or accredited/approved laboratory obtained not older than 48 hours before the date of departure,” the statement read.

If the traveller is unable to provide either then they must take an antigen test at the Port of Entry.

“If the person tests positive for COVID-19 in the antigen test, the traveller will still be admitted into the country, but if the traveller is experiencing symptoms of COVID­19, they must self-isolate for a period of ten days after admission into South Africa.”

However, these requirements don’t apply to travellers under 12-years-old, or daily commuters from neighbouring countries.

The Department said  despite the current process to source public comments on the health regulations, ways to manage the pandemic without invoking the state of national disaster remained critical.

“COVID-19 remains a life-threatening disease, and the country is not yet out of the woods.  The only way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones against this pandemic and the current rising number of positive cases, is through vaccination and adhering to preventative measures at all times. “

As of today the cumulative number of #COVID19 cases identified in SA is 3 808 368 with 6 170 new cases reported. Today 30 deaths have been reported bringing the total to 100 407 deaths. The cumulative number of recoveries now stand at 3 663 153 with a recovery rate of 96,2% pic.twitter.com/eBy741xzW1

— National Department of Health (@HealthZA) May 4, 2022

The department further urged fully  vaccinated people to get booster shots to increase their immunity.

The period for public comment on health regulations relating to the Surveillance and Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions; Public Measures in Points of Entry; Management of Human Remains and Environmental Health has been extended by three months until July 5.  Comments can be sent to legalreviews@health.gov.za. – Health-e News