Mass gatherings such as conferences


Mass gatherings such as major conferences and meetings, especially those that require a large number of people to be in close contact over extended periods, should be changed to virtual formats.

End-of-year parties and matric year-end raves as well as other celebrations should ideally be postponed, and every person should think twice before attending or organising a gathering.

Where gatherings do take place, all the necessary COVID protocols must be closely observed.

Every additional contact we have increases our risk of becoming infected or infecting someone else.

Fellow South Africans,

The National Coronavirus Command Council met yesterday to consider the recent rise in infections and the possible impact of the Omicron variant.

This was followed by meetings earlier today of the President’s Coordinating Council and Cabinet, where a decision was taken that the country should remain on Coronavirus Alert Level 1 for now and that the National State of Disaster should remain in place.

In taking the decision not to impose further restrictions at this stage, we considered the fact that when we encountered previous waves of infection, vaccines were not widely available and far fewer people were vaccinated.

That is no longer the case. Vaccines are available to anyone aged 12 and above, free of charge, at thousands of sites across the country.

We know that they prevent severe disease and hospitalisation.

We also know that the coronavirus will be with us for the long term. We must therefore find ways of managing the pandemic while limiting disruptions to the economy and ensuring continuity.

However, this approach will not be sustainable if we do not increase the vaccination rate, if we do not wear masks, or if we fail to adhere to basic health precautions.

We should all remember that in terms of Alert Level 1 regulations:

- There is still a curfew in place from 12 midnight to 4 am.

- No more than 750 people may gather indoors and no more than 2,000 people may gather outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used.

- No more than 100 people are permitted at a funeral, and night vigils, after-funeral gatherings and ‘after-tears’ gatherings are not allowed.

- The wearing of masks in public places is still mandatory, and failure to wear a mask when required remains a criminal offence.

- The sale of alcohol is permitted according to the regular licence conditions, but may not be sold during curfew hours.

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