South Africa: COVID-19 Restrictions Eased Further

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that many coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions would be eased.

In a televised speech on Tuesday evening, 22 March, Ramaphosa spoke at length about lifting more COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, which had been in place for approximately two years.

The easing of measures include stadiums, theatres and music venues to reopen and bring life back to the country’s sports, tourism and arts sectors, under the provision that they only operate at 50% of venue capacity, and that patrons produce proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours.

The wearing of masks will only be required when indoors and travelling via public transport.

However, the National State of Disaster will remain in place and extended until 16 April, and Ramaphosa commented that its cessation was not the “end of the pandemic.”

Many voices from the business, civic and science communities have criticised the extension as COVID-19 infection rates had dropped significantly and remained relatively low in recent weeks.

South Africa is one of the continent’s worst-hit countries with regards to total COVID-19 infections standing at 3 705 696: 3 591 573 have since recovered from the ailment, while 99 893 people have died from the virus.

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