President Cyril Ramaphosa has address the nation earlier at 8pm Tuesday, 22 March 2022,on developments in South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The President has announced some amendments to the lockdown level 1 restrictions.
Some key points to take away from the President’s latest National State of Disaster updated:
• Amended Restrictions are effective from tomorrow.
• Masks will no longer be required outdoors.
• Both indoor and outdoor venues can now take up to 50% of their capacity provided that the criteria for entrance are proof of vaccination or a COVID test not older than 72 hours.
• The maximum number of people permitted at a funeral will increase from 100 to 200. As before, night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.
• It is mandatory to wear a cloth mask or similar covering over the nose and mouth when in public indoor spaces. However, a mask is not required when outdoors.
• The regulations on social distancing are also being changed, requiring that a space of 1 metre is maintained between persons in all settings except schools.
• The national state of disaster will continue until at least 16 April 2022. This is the closing date for public comments on draft regulations for COVID19. President Cyril Ramaphosa says that once these regulations are finalised, they will replace the state of disaster regulations.
• Government intends to lift the National State of Disaster as soon the public comments on proposed regulations are completed.