April 5, 2022
1 min read

South Africa’s President formally ends national state of disaster

In light of the shrinking Covid-19 cases, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the country’s national state of disaster was terminated…reports Asian Lite News

The national state of disaster was terminated on Monday at 12 a.m.

“While the pandemic is not over, and while the virus remains among us, these conditions no longer require that we remain in the national state of disaster. Going forward, the pandemic will be managed in terms of the National Health Act,” he announced in a televised address on Monday.

After 750 days under the national state of disaster to combat the pandemic, Ramaphosa said the government decided to end the national state of disaster, Xinhua news agency reported.

The declaration of the national state of disaster in March 2020 empowered the government to take the measures that prevented many more people from becoming severely ill and saved countless lives, the President added.

The Disaster Management Act provides that certain elements of the regulations may remain in place for a limited period for “post-disaster recovery and rehabilitation,” he said.

According to the President, South Africa has entered a new phase in the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Although we recorded a far higher number of infections in the fourth wave than in each of the previous waves, there were relatively fewer cases of severe illness, hospitalisation, and death.”

ALSO READ: South Africa Cabinet safe from dismissal after no-confidence vote

Ramaphosa said certain transitional provisions would remain in place for 30 days following the termination of the national state of disaster to ensure necessary public health precautions and other services were not interrupted while the new regulations in terms of the National Health Act come into effect.

The transitional measures would include the wearing of masks in indoor public spaces, number limitations for indoor and outdoor venues, proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test for international travellers entering the country. And the 350 Rand ($24) Social Relief Grant introduced due to the effects of the pandemic would be continued.

South Africa has been the worst affected African country during the pandemic. Figures released by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases on Monday showed the country has recorded 3,667,560 laboratory-confirmed cases, and 100,052 deaths.

Previous Story

Vinay Kwatra named India’s next Foreign Secretary

Next Story

Complex warfare drills mark Indo-French naval exercise

Latest from AFRICA NEWS

Mali embraces solar power for rural areas  

The border village of Karan and its 3,000 people used to go days without electricity. Now, enough power is available around the clock to run small video gaming centers and boost commercial

British exports shine in African infrastructure 

Established 18 years ago, Dints is a London-based project integrator that specialises in connecting buyers, suppliers, logistics providers, and funding partners  A significant partnership between UK Export Finance (UKEF) and British firm

Congo doubles salaries for beleaguered army  

M23 has seized eastern Congo’s two largest cities in a swift offensive that has left thousands dead, forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes, and piled pressure on President Felix Tshisekedi 
Go toTop

Don't Miss

IOM needs $93.4mn in funds for Horn of Africa

The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) disclosed that it

Indian rice regains grip in Africa as China weakens

Since 2020, China’s rice exports have remained almost static while