“These proposed regulatory changes are in effect an attempt by the minister to unofficially amend the health act. Amending regulations do not require parliamentary oversight. It is therefore a very effective method by which to sidestep democratic processes.
“The public’s participation in our campaign is vital to ensure government overreach is curtailed. These proposed amendments to the regulations leave the door wide open for other restrictions,” Dear SA said.
Speaking to TimesLIVE recently, Wits professor of vaccinology Shabir Madhi said some Covid-19 rules serve very little value.
He also labelled certain regulations “silly” and “foolish”.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government intends to lift the national state of disaster.
“Due to the changing nature of the pandemic, and due to the progress that has been made through our collective efforts, we intend to lift the national state of disaster as soon as public comment on the health regulations published by the minister of health has been completed.
“These regulations, when finalised, will replace the state of disaster regulations as the legal instrument that we use to manage the pandemic.”
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Dear SA calls on public to comment on proposed Covid-19 draft regulations
Image: Freddy Mavunda
Citizen network group Dear SA has called on South Africans to comment on the draft Covid-19 regulations set to replace the national state of disaster.
The group lamented that since the regulations are subordinate legislation, meaning that parliament has already delegated them to health minister Joe Phaahla, they will not be debated among MPs before they are approved.
It says the regulations are an attempt by the minister to amend the Health Act and called for the public to take part in shaping policies that affect their daily lives.
“These proposed regulatory changes are in effect an attempt by the minister to unofficially amend the health act. Amending regulations do not require parliamentary oversight. It is therefore a very effective method by which to sidestep democratic processes.
“The public’s participation in our campaign is vital to ensure government overreach is curtailed. These proposed amendments to the regulations leave the door wide open for other restrictions,” Dear SA said.
Speaking to TimesLIVE recently, Wits professor of vaccinology Shabir Madhi said some Covid-19 rules serve very little value.
He also labelled certain regulations “silly” and “foolish”.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the government intends to lift the national state of disaster.
“Due to the changing nature of the pandemic, and due to the progress that has been made through our collective efforts, we intend to lift the national state of disaster as soon as public comment on the health regulations published by the minister of health has been completed.
“These regulations, when finalised, will replace the state of disaster regulations as the legal instrument that we use to manage the pandemic.”
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
READ MORE
What are the new mask rules proposed for the country?
RATE IT | Government proposes new rules to replace state of disaster, but are they any good?
SA gets huge cold-chain equipment boost to store vaccines and vital meds
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos