A leaked memo shows minister of health Joe Phaahla has called for an end to all remaining Covid-19 restrictions, including mask wearing.
Sister newspaper Business Day received confirmation of the document’s authenticity and many support Phaahla’s proposal ahead of a President’s Coordinating Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The memo states that the regulations on mask wearing, indoor gatherings and travellers into the country having to be tested and vaccinated were implemented during a specific and extreme phase of the pandemic.
With a major decline in infection numbers, hospitalisations and deaths, the minister argues that the measures are no longer appropriate.
Prof Shabir Madhi, dean of health at Johannesburg’s Wits University, wrote on Twitter: “At long last. Coming to grips with reality. Effective end of Covid-19 restrictions. Now to work on the collateral economic and other damage ... inflicted due to stubbornness of not listening to science.”
Western Cape premier Alan Winde said he welcomed the convening of the President’s Coordinating Council, adding: “Finally we may now see an end to all Covid-19 curbs, as I have consistently called for. But it has to be emphasised, it is disappointing that it has taken so long.”
Winde said his provincial government wanted the remaining restrictions removed “immediately” as data “clearly indicates that it is no longer required to protect our healthcare system”.
He said this included removing the mask mandate and restrictions on gatherings: “It is now up to individuals to demonstrate personal responsibility by using all the knowledge we have learnt over the last two years.”
Citing restrictions on last weekend’s United Rugby Championship (URC) final as an example of the damage being done, he said: “While it was great to see the stands fuller, many more Stormers and Bulls fans could have been welcomed inside had the restrictions been dropped earlier.”
Fedhasa head Rosemary Anderson, on behalf of the hospitality industry, said the organisation welcomes the department of health’s recommendation to repeal the regulations.
“This is long overdue, considering the reasons these regulations were instituted in the first place were to reduce pressure on our healthcare system. It has been clear for months that not only does Covid-19 no longer threaten to overwhelm our hospitals, but that these regulations also have no effect on limiting Covid-19 infections.
“The phase of the pandemic in which we find ourselves is one that sees us learning to live with Covid-19 like the rest of the world has been doing,” she said.
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