New mask laws COVID-19

A woman from Tembisa, Gauteng is pictured wearing a mask – Photo: Unsplash

SA’s mask laws have changed OVERNIGHT – here are the new rules

Just as mask laws and other COVID regulations were set to lapse, a new set of rules was rolled out by the ANC government on Wednesday.

New mask laws COVID-19

A woman from Tembisa, Gauteng is pictured wearing a mask – Photo: Unsplash

For those who were in bed early on Wednesday night, you likely missed the Health Department confirming a new set of ‘limited regulations‘ for managing the COVID-19 pandemic. The focus was mainly on travelling and gatherings, but mask laws in South Africa have also undergone a few minor changes.

New mask laws for South Africa: What has changed?

Essentially, not a great deal has changed since the State of Disaster lapsed in April: We are still required to wear face coverings (over the mouth AND nose) in a number of public settings. The most eye-catching alterations, however, are related to the regulation and administration of our mask laws. Here are the key points:

  • Instead of being regulated by the State of Disaster, mask laws are NOW covered by ‘Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and the Control of Notifiable Medical Condition 2022’. It is not an amendment to the National Health Act.
  • That means it is now NON-EMERGENCY LAW to wear face-coverings in any indoor public setting or building. Travellers on public transport will still be required to mask-up for their journeys.
  • One of the biggest changes to the legislation is that the Health Minister – currently Joe Phaahla – now has the power to END these restrictions himself, via the Government Gazette. He can also REINTRODUCE dropped measures.
  • There is one notable exemption: Children ARE NOT required to wear a mask in a school setting.

Limited COVID laws come into force on Thursday 5 May

In a statement issued before midnight, the Health Department revealed that they are still treating COVID-19 like a ‘life-threatening disease’, and although Minister Phaahla has been granted the authority to declare an end to all mask laws and mandates, it seems Mzansi will remain cautious as we head into winter.

“It is important to emphasise that the proposed amendments do not amend the National Health Act, 2003 but rather augment certain existing regulations. The Department would like to remind people that there is still an imperative to provide options to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and other notifiable medical conditions.”

“Therefore, members of the public are reminded that COVID-19 remains a life-threatening disease, and the country isn’t out of the woods. These regulations mainly focus on wearing of masks, gatherings and persons entering SA. The department has gazetted the limited regulations for implementation with effect from Thursday 5 May.”

Statement from the Health Department