Western Cape Govt pushes for removal of COVID-19 restrictions

The provincial government in the Western Cape wants all COVID-19 restrictions in SA to be lifted. They cited growing economic concerns across Mzansi as the reasoning behind their push for this. 

Alan Winde and Western Cape health dept to give a press briefing

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and representatives from the province’s health department are expected to give a press briefing on Tuesday, 7 June. The briefing will show data that the COVID-19 restrictions in SA is not necessary anymore.

Winde has also written to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“The focus will be on Premier Winde’s call for the end of Covid-19 restrictions. There has been a continued decoupling between Covid-19 infections, hospitalisations, and deaths in the Western Cape, demonstrating that we can now safely do away with existing restrictions,”

said the Western Cape Government.

Provincial govt provides reasons for doing away with COVID-19 restrictions

Speaking about doing away with the restrictions, the Western Cape government noted the record-high unemployment levels in the country. It shared that the ongoing load shedding and the rising cost of living are also impacting South Africans.

“The major fuel price increases this week are a serious warning to us all and it should be treated as the major crisis that it is, and prompt immediate action,”

it said.

The call by the Western Cape government follows research that was released in which restrictions were said to be ineffective in lessening the transmission of COVID-19 in South Africa.

In the South African Journal of Science (SAJS) it was written that the experience over the last 27 months shows that lockdowns and some other COVID-19 regulations in the country failed in preventing the spread of infections.

What regulations are still in place?

Although the National State of Disaster was suspended, a number of COVID-19 regulations stayed. These include the wearing of face masks for every person indoors (including public transport), gatherings at 50% capacity and travel restrictions.

In terms of travel, people are requested to provide a valid vaccination certificate upon arrival in SA.

Proof of vaccination requirements UPDATED by Health Dept

In a statement, the Department of Health clarified the requirements for verifiable vaccination proofs for international travellers. The Health Department noted the incidents at certain ports of entry involving international travellers.

This follows news of travellers being stranded, with OR Tambo International Airport topping the trends list online. The statement said that travellers presented proofs of vaccination that are “not defined in the current regime of health regulations”. Read the full story here.