Dear Members

The Department of Health has published the proposed health regulations to deal with Covid-19 and other medical conditions outside of the National State of Disaster for public comment.

This effort is part of Government’s transition plans from the current National State of Disaster which has been in place for more than 2 years. These regulations have been presented to the NATJOINTS structures including the Legal and Regulatory Measures Workstream. Once approved, these regulations will be implemented within the National Department of Health with the support of some of the public entities reporting to the department and will not be tabled before Parliament as they are subordinate legislation.

The proposed regulations seek to introduce a number of control measures which include the:

• Surveillance and Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions;
• Public Health measures in points of entry;
• Management of Human Remains;
• Regulations relating to Environmental Health;

The regulations propose the following:

• Measures in ports of entry: all people entering or exiting South Africa during the pandemic, should present negative PCR test results not older than 72 hours, in the event that they do not- have a full vaccination certificate. This repeals the current requirement of negative PCR test results for all incoming travellers- with or without a vaccination certificate.

• As part of efforts to manage transmission during large gatherings considered to be possible super spreader events, the regulations proposed the restriction of night vigils and after-funeral gatherings. The indoor and outdoor gatherings may be occupied up to 50% of the venue capacity provided there is production of a valid vaccine certificate; practice of social distance of at least one metre and compulsory wearing of masks. The attendance of outdoor gatherings without proof of vaccination will be limited to only 1000 people and 2000 for outdoors with social distancing of at least one metre social distance.

SEIFSA being part of BUSA will contribute to the broader business response to these regulations.

Click here for the regulations for your perusal

Draft-Health-Regulations-published-for-public-comments-46045-15-March-2022