Pixabay
South Africans will still be required to wear masks when entering and while inside indoor public places.
This is according to the National Department of Health ahead of the expiry of disaster regulations at midnight on Wednesday.
"With regards to wearing a face mask, a person must, when entering and being inside an indoor public place, wear a face mask. This does not apply to children at school," the Department said in a statement.
"Again, under these limited regulations, no person may use any form of public transport unless wearing a face mask."
In terms of any indoor or outdoor gatherings, there is a maximum of 50% of the venue's capacity allowed, provided that people are vaccinated against Covid-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate.
If not vaccinated, attendees must produce a valid negative Covid-19 test result not older than 72 hours.
According to the regulations if it’s not possible to comply with the indoor gathering requirement then a maximum of 1 000 people will be allowed or 50% of capacity, while outdoor gatherings are limited to 2 000 people or 50% of the capacity, whichever is smaller.
All international travellers arriving at South African Ports of Entry must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate, or produce a valid negative PCR COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours before the date of departure.
Alternatively, they can produce a valid negative antigen test result performed by a medical practitioner, registered public health authority or accredited/approved laboratory obtained not older than two days.
In a case where an international guest is unable to produce a vaccination certificate or a negative PCR test result older than 72 hours or a negative antigen test result obtained at least 48 hours prior to departure, then he/she must undergo antigen testing at the Port of Entry.
If the person tests positive in the antigen test, they will still be admitted into the country but, if they are experiencing symptoms, they must self-isolate for a period of 10 days after admission into South Africa.
However, the vaccination or testing requirement is not applicable to travellers who are under the age of 12 years and daily commuters from neighbouring countries.
Meanwhile, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases said that there were 6 170 new Covid19 cases recorded during the last reporting period with 30 deaths reported.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the termination of Disaster Regulations on the 30th of March.
