South Africa’s Health Minister Joe Phaahla has removed Covid-19 regulations concerning the wearing of face masks in public, gatherings and persons entering the country at its entry points.
In a statement on Wednesday, the minister said the gazetting of the regulations meant that the wearing of face masks in any public-use indoor space, or when on public transport to contain the spread of Covid-19, has been removed as required.
On gatherings, people congregating in public spaces would no longer be limited to certain numbers, the minister said.
The previous regulations stipulated that a maximum of 50% of the venue capacity should be occupied as well as that every attendee must produce a valid Covid-19 vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of the gatherings.
Regarding limitations on people entering the country, the regulations required that any person entering the country be vaccinated against Covid-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate.
Alternatively, they previously needed to produce a valid certificate of a negative PCR Covid-19 test not older than 72 hours before the date of departure.
NM/jn/APA