After 27 months, the last remaining lockdown restrictions in SA officially expired in June 2022 – Photo: Adobe Stock
After 27 months, the last remaining lockdown restrictions in SA officially expired in June 2022 – Photo: Adobe Stock
One of South Africa’s leading experts on COVID-19 has called time on the State of Disaster regulations. Shabir Madhi, a professor of virology at Wits University, believes the time to live WITH the virus is already upon us, and the government is under increasing pressure to lift all remaining lockdown restrictions.
‘Bring back gatherings, disband the NCCC’ – Professor Madhi lists demands
Mzansi rode out the fourth wave of coronavirus with significant ease. The Omicron variant proved to be more transmissible than other variants, but largely presented milder outcomes in an overwhelming majority of patients.
This has pushed Professor Madhi into a new way of thinking. He now states that the focus should no longer be on preventing the spread of the virus, but rather on ensuring fewer people are hospitalised. Vaccine drives and the release of anti-viral pills will be SA’s greatest assets in 2022.
Madhi, therefore, wants the following changes to be made by the Cabinet:
- Allow ALL outdoor gatherings.
- Bring back MORE indoor gatherings.
- Open schools FULLY, with no more staggered schedules.
- Let sports fans BACK into stadiums.
- SCRAP the State of Disaster regulations.
- Call time on the National Coronavirus Command Council, have them DISBANDED.
Down with lockdown restrictions? Top prof wants State of Disaster to end
For some, the trauma of the last two years may make moving on from COVID-19 something that is easier said than done. But, throughout this pandemic, it has been vital to listen to the experts – and the message is as clear as day from Professor Madhi:
“We now need to live with the virus, and it’s time to discard regulations that don’t do much to reduce virus transmission. All outdoor gatherings should be allowed. More types of indoor gatherings must be allowed, especially if people are vaccinated.”
“Schools must be open completely, with absolutely no qualification. Teachers should ensure they are vaccinated to keep our children safe. In the Omicron wave, no hospitals were overwhelmed. The focus now is to protect against hospitalisation, rather than stopping the virus from spreading”
“Yes, COVID is unpredictable. But there’s no reason to perpetuate the State of Disaster. The NCCC should also be disbanded. People who are vaccinated are less likely to spread the virus, especially when boosted.”
Shabir Madhi
