South Africa says Omicron wave has passed
COVID-19
31 Dec 2021
/ 11:13
Cases have dropped nearly 30% in a week, say authorities - restrictions being eased.
South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first discovered last month, announced on 30 December that it is easing restrictions and lifting the nightime curfew as the peak of the wave has passed.
The requests for the midnight-to-4am curfew to be removed had multiplied over the last few days ahead of the New Year, with restaurant and bar owners collecting signatures online.
"The curfew has been lifted. Consequently, there is no limit on movement," said the government. It also ruled that alcohol shops with licences to operate beyond 11pm may revert back to full licence conditions.
“All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level,” said a statement from a special cabinet meeting.
Data from South Africa’s health department showed a 29.7% weekly decrease in new cases detected in the week ending 25 December (89,781 compared to 127,753 the previous week).
Hospital admissions have declined in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces. “While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves,” the cabinet statement said.
However, public gatherings are restricted to no more than 1,000 people indoors, and no more than 2,000 people outdoors. Wearing of masks in public places also remains mandatory.
Source: APE-MPE (AMNA)
The requests for the midnight-to-4am curfew to be removed had multiplied over the last few days ahead of the New Year, with restaurant and bar owners collecting signatures online.
"The curfew has been lifted. Consequently, there is no limit on movement," said the government. It also ruled that alcohol shops with licences to operate beyond 11pm may revert back to full licence conditions.
“All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level,” said a statement from a special cabinet meeting.
Data from South Africa’s health department showed a 29.7% weekly decrease in new cases detected in the week ending 25 December (89,781 compared to 127,753 the previous week).
Hospital admissions have declined in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces. “While the Omicron variant is highly transmissible, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than in previous waves,” the cabinet statement said.
However, public gatherings are restricted to no more than 1,000 people indoors, and no more than 2,000 people outdoors. Wearing of masks in public places also remains mandatory.
Source: APE-MPE (AMNA)
