New level 1 lockdown rules for South Africa
In a statement on Monday evening (31 January), the presidency said that the new rules had been agreed to in a special cabinet meeting held during the day.
This follows earlier meetings of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the Presidentâs Coordinating Council (PCC) which received updates on the management of Covid-19 in South Africa.
âThe information gathered through the system used by the Department of Health has reported that South Africa has exited the fourth wave nationally,â it said.
Based on the trajectory of the pandemic and the levels of vaccination in the country, Cabinet has decided to make the following changes to Adjusted Alert Level 1 with immediate effect:
Testing positive
- Those who test positive with no symptoms do not have to isolate;
- If you test positive with symptoms, the isolation period has been reduced from 10 to 7 days;
- Contacts do not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms.
âThe rationale for these amendments is informed by the proportion of people with immunity to Covid-19 which has risen substantially, exceeding 60-80% in several serosurveys,â the presidency said.
Schooling
Cabinet also reviewed the resumption of schooling to full-time learning in all schools.
Primary, secondary, and special schools will return to daily attendance. The regulatory provision for the social distancing of 1 meter for learners in schools has also been removed.
The ministers of Health and Basic Education will in the coming day’s issue directives reflecting on this new approach, the presidency said.
âGovernment commends all South Africans who continue to observe Covid-19 regulations and protocols.
âWe also remind those who are yet to get vaccinated to go for their Covid-19 vaccination and continue observing basic health protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus.â
