An expert has defended the extension of the National State of Disaster past the 20 months – saying it was used to mitigate and fight the spread of COVID-19.
Monday, marked 20 months since South Africa has been in a National State of Disaster in response to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March last year.
The Disaster Management Act empowers the Cooperative and Traditional Affairs Minister to extend the State of Disaster on a month-to-month basis once the first three months have expired.
The Act is currently being amended to give the National Assembly oversight power before a State of Disaster can be extended monthly.
Professor in Geography and Head of the African Centre for Disaster Studies at the North West University, Professor Dewald van Niekerk says that when the State of Disaster lapses, so do the mitigating laws of social distancing and mask-wearing.
“There needs to be a clear transition from emergency law to this “new normal” that they are busy with. Why it’s been extended again? I think it’s probably this worrisome picture that we see unfolding in Europe, that is the fourth wave. We only have, I think there’s 35% of people vaccinated in South Africa and they do foresee a fourth wave. At this stage, we’re not quite sure of the extent of it,” says Professor van Niekerk.
Uncertainty over the fourth COVID-19 wave
Infectious Diseases Specialist, Dr Richard Lessells says there is uncertainty over whether South Africa will see a fourth wave of coronavirus infections as early as December.
It comes as health officials are warning that the next wave may hit Gauteng during the festive season.
However, Dr Lessells says questions remain on whether the virus could cause another surge in cases as more people choose to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
However, Health Minister Joe Phaahla says the department has started preparations in anticipation for a fourth wave:
SA’s latest COVID-19 statatistics
Meanwhile, South Africa has recorded 136 new COVID-19 cases in the latest 24-hour reporting cycle by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), which brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 2 926 075.
The increase represents a 0.9% positivity rate. A further five(5) COVID-19 related deaths have been reported, bringing total fatalities to 89 489 to date.
Latest SA stats:
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