President Ramaphosa announced the end of the National State of Disaster at midnight tonight.

He also said that the State of Disaster was essential to take measures from preventing persons becoming ill and to keep persons alive. The legislation introduced the Social Grant of R350, and TERS to employees not paid when they were not working.

The measures were introduced in the past two years, to manage saving lives and tackling the disaster, but they should only be kept as long as they are necessary, he said. The fourth wave had more cases but few hospitalizations. Hospital beds are barely occupied by Covid patients now, signalling a normality in our health system.

Therefore a National State of Disaster is no longer needed, and it is terminated with effect from midnight tonight. New regulations will be announced later in April. Temporary transitional regulations stay in place for the next 30 days :

1.  Wearing a mask indoors
2.  Gatherings at indoor and outdoor venues stay at 50% capacity, with 1000/2000 limits
3. Travellers need to show a negative PCR test or proof of vaccination
4. The payment of the Social Grant remains

Now we are no longer in Level 1! Each person is taking responsibility to look after his/her own health and that of others. He emphasised the importance of vaccination.

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whaletalesblog.com www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide