Vaccinologist Dr Shabir Madhi says people who are considered as high-risk COVID-19 patients should be advised to continue wearing face masks in indoor spaces that are poorly ventilated.
The National Coronavirus Command Council is expected to meet this week to review the current COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.
Madhi says mask restrictions could be eased for some age groups, such as learners in schools.
“That’s if we have high-risk individuals, in particular, who are in indoor spaces that are poorly ventilated and when there is a surge in a number of cases. But on a day-to-day basis, at this point in time, for people to be using face masks there is absolutely no reason, and outdoors.”
“There is no reason for children to still be wearing face masks in schools – especially since they don’t wear the right type of face masks and they don’t do it correctly. We aren’t doing them any good by insisting that they continue wearing face masks in school, as an example.”
Below is the interview with Prof Madhi on SAFm Sunrise:
Meanwhile, Action SA President Herman Mashaba says it is time for South Africa to do away with the state of disaster that guides the lockdown regulations.
Mashaba says South Africans have adjusted to living with the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue to take the necessary precautionary measures.
