COVID-19: Health experts concerned about whether govt has plan to exit state of disaster

Public health experts say government by now should’ve had a coherent strategy to exit the national state of disaster.

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Tuesday extended the policy by another month.

The extension is now until 15 April 2022.

The department said the extension was needed to continue augmenting existing legislation and for organs of state to implement measures that would further curb the impact of the pandemic.

Senior lecturer emeritus at Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Jo Barnes said the government’s reasons for extending the national state of disaster were becoming increasingly unconvincing.

“What I am seeing is that government does not have a coherent exit strategy and they are still now looking at laws to change. So, what do they mean by that?”

Infectious disease specialist professor Salim Abdool-Karim said what was important was that safety protocols were being put in place to still protect people against the disease.

“It’s more important that we are able to ensure that the necessary public health measures can be put in place under other legislation. To me, it’s not a concern about whether there is a state of disaster or not, it’s more of can we do what is needed to deal with the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, some opposition political parties have also come out questioning why the government is dragging its feet on the issue.

-EWN

In other news – REVEALED: Here’s why Big Brother Mzansi housemate Venus always did this

Former #BBMzansi housemate Venus’ disturbing habit worked her fingers to the bone in superseding her modest character on her long stay on Big Brother Mzansi. Her stay came to an end last night when she got kicked out of the house together with the fan favourite – Nale.

The 25-year-old aspiring musician whose real name is Thobeka Mtshali became an online meme after her disgusting habit caught the attention of the sharp-eyed Big Brother fans. Learn More