New COVID-19 regulations will be presented to the NCCC: Phaahla

Health Minister, Joe Phaahla says the newly formulated COVID-19 regulations will soon be presented to the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC).

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in his State of the Nation Address that government was intending to do away with the state of National Disaster as a tool to manage the pandemic.

He also says a team of senior government officials have been leading consultations on the issue of mandatory vaccinations and will hand over recommendations to the NCCC.

Phaahla says government’s aim is to ensure that the country’s economy fully opens.

He says, “We hope the reviewed health regulations and other regulations from other departments will assist in guiding the reopening more economic and social activities, especially in the leisure and tourism areas,” says Phaahla.

“The proposal will include amendments to travel requirements which could make it easier and cheaper to travel into South and out of South Africa,” add Phaahla.

Health Ministry briefs media on COVID-19 in SA

Addressing the State of the Nation Address at the Cape Town City Hall, Ramaphosa said so far all restrictions emanating from the lockdown regulations have been lifted.

He said government still has to finalise some measures before an announcement is made to deal with all lockdown regulations.

“We are now ready to enter a new phase in our management of the pandemic. It is our intention and also my clear intention to end the National State of Disaster. We will do so as soon as we have finalised other measures under the National Health Act as well as other legislation to manage and contain the pandemic, this we have to do,” said Ramaphosa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech: