The Government has extended the national state of disaster to 15 April. This will allow it more time to adjust existing laws to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Professor Salim Abdool Karaim is the Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, (Caprisa). Picture: Supplied
CAPE TOWN – Professor Salim Abdulool Karim is a leading voice in South Africa’s COVID-19 battle. He said that public health should adapt to the changing environment.
The Government has extended the national state of disaster to 15 April. This will allow it more time to adjust existing laws to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Many people have called for the disaster declaration to stop.
Professor Karim, an infectious disease specialist, stated that it was important that we had the necessary measures in place to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
Karim stated that, even though the coronavirus incidences are low at the moment, it was necessary to restrict indoor mass gatherings.
Karim stated that “we saw in November 2020 how an indoor Mass Gathering like the Ballito Rage morph from just few cases to over 1000 cases in a matterof one week.”
He stated that outdoor mask requirements could possibly be dropped but indoor mask use must be permitted.
Professor Karim explained, “So indoors, in a taxi, in your office with others, or in a shopping center, you must wear your mask. The reason is the same – Omicron, an infectious variant, spreads very quickly in situations where people aren’t wearing masks.”
Karim stated that many indoor environments require people to take off their masks. These settings should be restricted only for those who are vaccinated.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared an emergency in the country to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic on March 15, 2020.