South Africa Ends COVID-19 National State Disaster
By George Kalisa
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared an end to the 750-day National State Disaster that came into force on March 15, 2020 in response to the pandemic.
Ramaphosa said that unprecedented situation aimed at saving lives of the South African people.
“This is an extraordinary situation that is unprecedented in our country’s history. The declaration of a state of disaster was a response to a global health crisis that posed a grave threat to the lives and the well-being of our people. There is no doubt that such a response was necessary under these circumstances,” said Ramaphosa in a statement released April 4, 2022.
The economy of the South African nations reopened today following the President’s statement yesterday.
With over 100,000 deaths, pretty much a third of all COVID-19 deaths in the Continent, South Africa is the most affected nation by the pandemic, and 3.72 million cases have been recorded.
The President, however, said that the pandemic was still a problem and observance of health measures like face masks is still expected of citizens.
“While the pandemic is not over, and while the virus remains among us, these conditions no longer require that we remain in a National State of Disaster.Going forward, the pandemic will be managed in terms of the National Health Act,” said Ramaphosa.
The public will give comments on the draft Health Regulations until April 16, 2022 and transitional provisions will remain in place for 30 days.
“Once the period for public comment closes on the 16th of April 2022 and the comments have been considered, the new regulations will be finalised and promulgated,” added the statement.
“Since the requirements for a National State of Disaster to be declared in terms of the Disaster Management Act are no longer met, Cabinet has decided to terminate the National State of Disaster with effect from midnight tonight.”
“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”
“Accordingly certain transitional provisions will remain in place for a period of 30 days after the termination of the National State of Disaster to ensure essential public health precautions and other necessary services are not interrupted while the new regulations in terms of the National Health Act come into effect.”