Govt on plans to hand-down wearing of masks, entry limitations and Covid-19 certificates requirements

As the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) is scheduled to meet today, wearing of the masks, presenting Covid-19 certificates and restrictions on gatherings will be on top of the agenda.

Civil society groups have long called for the government to scrap all Covid-19 restrictions, for lives to go back to the real normality.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, South Africa imposed restrictions in March 2020, guided by the National State of Disaster Management Act to contain the spread of the virus.

Although, some hard restrictions were let go, the government proceeded with amongst others, face masks wearing and entry limitations at mass events.

However, senior government officials have now turned their back on some restrictions and have voted in favour of dropping Covid-19 restrictions.

This was also bolstered up by Health Minister Joe Phaahla, with his recommendations to ease the current regulations.

Phaahla made the proposals following the decline in hospitalizations and reported cases.

These are some of restrictions which will be discussed as part of the consultations:

• Mask-wearing no longer needs to be in place;
• Restrictions on gatherings are no longer necessary;
• Entry limitations (Covid certificate) no longer need to be in place at certain venues.