"COVID-19 Enters New Phase"…South Africa Lifts State of Emergency

Temporary Measures Including Indoor Mask Wearing to Be Maintained for 30 Days

Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kang Woo-seok] South Africa has lifted the state of national emergency after 750 days as the COVID-19 situation has eased.

On the 4th (local time), South African President Cyril Ramaphosa officially declared the end of the state of national emergency in a live televised address to the nation, stating, "The COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet, and the virus still remains around us, but these conditions no longer require us to remain under a state of national emergency. We have entered a new phase regarding COVID-19."

President Ramaphosa cited the decrease in severe hospitalizations and deaths due to COVID-19 as grounds for lifting the state of emergency. Accordingly, all regulations based on the state of emergency were abolished from midnight that day.

However, President Ramaphosa noted that COVID-19 still exists among the population and announced that temporary measures such as indoor mask-wearing and capacity limits for indoor and outdoor facilities will be maintained for the next 30 days.

He added, "Going forward, we must move forward by controlling this infectious disease under the National Health Act," hinting at the establishment of a national health order to replace the state of emergency.

Meanwhile, South Africa had maintained the state of national emergency for 750 days since declaring it on March 15, 2020. During this period, strong regulations such as bans on alcohol and tobacco sales were also implemented.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.