File
The Department of Health says the wearing of masks in public will not be made compulsory.
The Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla was speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday on the country's Covid-19 status after a report that South Africa had detected its first case of XBB.1.5 Omnicron subvariant.
Phaahla says that this new subvariant has caused panic globally and in the country especially after reports that there has been a surge of infections in a few countries including the Republic of China which has caused an overburden on the country's hospitals and crematoriums.
He says a number of countries have imposed special requirements for travellers coming from China with 12 countries including Morocco which will require a negative PCR test of fewer than 48 hours.
However, he says that South Africa's natural immunity is still very strong which puts the country in a better position amid the increase of infections globally.
He told the media that the country also has a strong immunity to the virus due to vaccinations which is why there have been no major changes in the rate of infections.
He says following consultations with the Ministry advisory committees and the World Health Organisation, the department has decided to not impose travel restrictions.
Phaahla says even travellers from countries with high covid-19 infection rates such as the Republic of China will not be subjected to any travel restrictions.
"At this stage, I want to emphasize again that even in the Republic of China there is no indication that these subvariants are more severe in terms of illness but it's just the sheer numbers in a huge population where people are now travelling freely both in the country and out of the Republic of China," he added.
The Minister said that while the country would also not re-impose any Covid-19 restrictions but certain measures would be taken including increasing the rate of Covid-19 testing when people experience flu-like symptoms.
He said that Government would also reinvigorate vaccination campaigns and there would be increased surveillance by increasing water waste testing including samples from air crafts travelling from countries with high or rising infection rates.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister, Dr Sibongile Dlomo says the public will not be forced to wear masks but they may opt to wear one if they want to.
"That is a stand that we still have as a Government that this optional that there is no compulsory wearing of masks," he added.
Dlomo says schools will also not be required to make use of masks.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister called on people aged 50 and above to get additional booster shots.
