South Africa has revoked COVID-19 rules that made masks mandatory in indoor public spaces, limited the size of gatherings and imposed entry requirements at its borders. The health minister said on Thursday.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla said authorities had noted a decline in cases, hospitalisations and reported deaths and concluded that a limited fifth wave was dissipating.
"The COVID-19 virus is not yet gone, we are just stronger than before, especially with vaccination," the minister said.
Phaahla added that if vaccine uptake does not increase significantly by November, up to 8 million doses of Pfizer's PFE.N COVID vaccine could be wasted.
He also said the government was negotiating with Johnson & Johnson JNJ.N to try to waive future vaccine deliveries.
South Africa has recorded the highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths on the African continent with over 3.9 million confirmed infections and more than 101,000 deaths.
Around half of the country's 40 million adults have received at least one vaccine dose, with 46% fully vaccinated.
0 Comment(s)