On Tuesday, News24 reported that Health Minister Joe Phaahla was recommending that regulations making it necessary to wear masks in public indoor areas be dropped. In a memo, which News24 has seen, Phaahla said there had been a decline in"critical indicators" such as new cases, hospitalisations and deaths related to Covid-19.
"If the decision is informed by science and based on a decrease in the number of infections, we would not have a problem with lifting the mask mandate. We have said from the beginning of the pandemic that we believe science should dictate what is happening," she said.We worry about schools in townships and rural areas which are overcrowded. If the restrictions are lifted, they may become super-spreaders. Ideally, we'd like to see more classrooms being built to reduce overcrowding.
"Some learners struggle to hear when teachers are wearing masks and it becomes more difficult for educators to gauge if learners have understood the lesson," he said.We will support decisions made on sound medical and scientific evidence, instead of decisions based on emotion. "We have learned some valuable hygiene lessons through Covid-19 that will hopefully remain in place."
nickymccain I can't even start imagining the damage the masks has caused in these pupils both physical and mental. They could have stopped this nonsense long ago, but of course they couldn't because they were cashing in big time.
nickymccain Not mandatory mask only, it will be very grateful if they also scrap the policy to vaccinate them,🚮🚮🚮
nickymccain What happened to Motsepe Foundation? They usually show up when there is a crises, pledge millions of Rands, and never to be seen again? SABCNews eNCA Newzroom405
nickymccain Its the abnormal things taking place that we should fear, not the normal, across all spectrums!
nickymccain This shit should have stopped long ago. Masks are unhealthy and do absolutely nothing to stop covid.
nickymccain unmaskourkids