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COVID-19 Ministerial Advisory Committee Chair Professor Salim Abdool Karim said that while this was now a new phase where South Africans would need to learn to live with COVID-19, certain events still need to be treated with extreme caution, including the big meetings.
FILE: Passengers heading to check-in points at OR Tambo International Airport for the first time since restrictions were relaxed under level 3 regulations for business travel. Image: Bonga Dlulane / EWN.
JOHANNESBURG – COVID-19 Ministerial Advisory Committee Chairman Professor Salim Abdool Karim said South Africa was now in what he called a “new post-COVID normal” and would have to navigate wide-spread events.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to announce measures soon to relax the current closure regulations.
Last week, the president said in a meeting with the South African National Publishers Forum (Sanef) that the National Coronavirus Command Council was consulting with social partners about the possibility of moving to level 1.
Karim said that although this was now a new phase where South Africans would need to learn to live with COVID-19, certain events still need to be treated with extreme caution, including large gatherings.
“Where there are a large number of people, it is not always easy to implement social distancing and the use of masks, etc. In those environments, we have to have a situation where we reduce our risk of super spread events, “he said.
Karim added that the curfew and restrictions on alcohol were not necessary and that international travel should be considered under the level 1 blockade.
Amid growing calls for more events to open, such as sporting events and entertainment gatherings, it was not yet clear how the government would handle these potential super-spreaders and prevent another wave of new infections.
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