Ramaphosa lifts state of disaster

Ramaphosa made the announcement on Monday evening amid growing pressure to further ease restrictions. 

With a significant drop in active cases, hospitalisations and Covid-related fatalities, Ramaphosa said the country was ready to do away with the regulations.

Government will now manage the pandemic through the National Health Act.

While the latest changes come into effect at midnight, some regulations would remain in place for 30 days to allow the government to transition to the Health Act.

“These transitional measures, which will automatically lapse after 30 days, are the following: firstly, we will still be required to wear a face mask in an indoor public space. This is necessary to prevent transmission in high-risk places, especially while many people remain unvaccinated. A mask is not required when outdoors,” said Ramaphosa. 

“Secondly, the existing restrictions on gatherings will continue as a transitional measure. This means that both indoor and outdoor venues can take up to 50 percent of their capacity without any maximum limit, provided that proof of vaccination or a Covid test not older than 72 hours is required for entrance to the venue. Where there is no provision for proof of vaccination or a Covid test, then the current upper limit of 1,000 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors will remain.”

The existing provisions for international travel remain in place.

“This means that 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,” Ramaphosa added. 

“Fourthly, the directions that provide for the payment of the special R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant will remain in place. This will enable the Department of Social Development to finalise the regulations that will allow the payment of the grant to continue,” 

“Fifthly, directions that provide for the extension of the validity of a learner’s licence, driving licence card, licence disc, professional driving permit and registration of a motor vehicle will remain in place.”

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All other disaster regulations will fall away at midnight.

“These include regulations on isolation of persons, on schools and access to old age homes, on public transport, on initiation practices, on cargo transportation, and on criminalisation of non-adherence to these rules,” said Ramaphosa. 

“The few transitional measures that remain are limited in scope, and allow almost all social and economic activity to resume as normal.”

The only regulation that will outlive the state of disaster is the Covid-19 Vaccine Injury No-Fault Compensation Scheme.

“The scheme will only be terminated once it has achieved its purpose.”

Ramaphosa believes the lifting of the remaining regulations will get the country back on track, including economic recovery.  

Watch Ramaphosa below: