Public invited to have say on new disaster regulations
South Africans are now able to give their input on the make-up of the proposed health regulations outside the national state of disaster.
The Department of Health has published proposed regulations to deal with Covid-19 and other medical conditions once the state of disaster has lapsed.
The state of disaster has been in force for the past two years.
Spokesperson Foster Mohale says the new regulations will form part of government's transition plans.
“This is part of the government`s transition plans from the current national state of disaster which has been in place more than two years since it was first declared in response to Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, in order to have a specific legal instrument to manage the current and future pandemics.
“The proposed regulations seek to introduce a number of control measures which include the surveillance and the control of notifiable medical conditions; public health measures in points of entry; management of human Remains and finally, regulations relating to environmental health.”
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Some of the proposed regulations will include measures put in place at the country’s ports of entry.
“It is proposed that all people entering or exiting South Africa during the pandemics, should present negative PRC test results not older than 72 hours, if they do not have a full vaccination certificate. This repeals the current requirement of negative PRC test results for all incoming travellers, with or without vaccination certificate,” adds Mohale.
Mohale says that restrictions against night vigils and after-funeral gatherings will remain, while indoor and outdoor gatherings will be capped at 50% of the venue capacity.
“However, this will be dependent upon the production of a valid vaccine certificate; practice of social distance of at least one metre and compulsory wearing of mask.”
“The attendance of indoor gatherings without proof of vaccination will be limited to only 1000 people and 2000 for outdoors with social distance of at least one metre social distance.”
All interested parties are invited to submit their comments by 15 April.
