Time for using severe lockdowns for Covid-19 is over — take SA’s example

Africa’s top public health official said on Thursday that severe lockdowns were no longer the best way to contain Covid-19, praising SA for adopting that approach when responding to its latest infection wave driven by the Omicron variant.

“The period where we are using severe lockdowns as a tool is over. We should actually be looking at how we use public health and social measures more carefully and in a balanced way as the vaccination increases.” But new cases have since fallen, and the government did not resort to strict restrictions as it did during previous infection waves given early signs that the bulk of Omicron infections had been mild. It even loosened rules before New Year’s Eve.

“Unless ... by the end of this year the continent actually scales up its vaccination to above 70% or 80%, my worry is that we might ... be into a scenario where Covid-19 becomes endemic,” he said.

We should celebrate our leadership from the government as they helped us achieve this goal without a historical reference. We have actually shown as a nation that sacrifice does mean success in the future

Severe lockdowns were necessary in the beginning of the pandemic, to get hospitals ready etc. But now there is no need. SA has shown that.

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