All over-18s will be able to get their COVID-19 vaccine from the 1st of September!
South Africa (26 July 2021) – The South African Government will be allowing anyone and everyone from the age of 18 plus to get the vaccine from the 1st of September 2021!
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced this on Sunday evening. The President said in the last few weeks, the country’s vaccination campaign has gained momentum, with more than 240 000 vaccines being administered every weekday. A month ago, this figure stood at around 100 000 vaccines per weekday.
According to the President, no vaccination appointment is needed.
“We are now able to allow people to present themselves at a vaccination site without an appointment and be registered and vaccinated,” Ramaphosa said.
He also said that in the next two to three months, South Africa will receive around 31 million additional doses from Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.
“We have made tremendous progress in addressing the challenges we faced as a country and the continent in access to vaccines,” Ramaphosa added.
“As a result of our negotiations with pharmaceutical companies and various developed economy governments have, our country and our continent has been able to secure vaccines and is able to manufacture vaccines on our continent,” he continued.
“Aspen based in Gqeberha will from October be manufacturing vaccines solely for the African continent.”
In the same address, Ramaphosa moved the country from Adjusted Alert Level 4 to Adjusted Alert Level 3.
This means that:
- The curfew will start at 10 pm and end at 4 am.
- Interprovincial travel for leisure may resume.
- Non-essential establishments like restaurants, taverns, bars and fitness centres may be opened. These establishments will however need to close by 9 pm to allow their employees and patrons to travel home before the start of the curfew.
- Gatherings will be allowed but will be limited to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers with appropriate social distancing, then no more than 50 per cent of the capacity of the venue may be used. Gatherings include religious services, political events and social gatherings. The limits on venue capacity also apply to restaurants, gyms, fitness centres, bars, taverns and similar places.
- Attendance at funerals and cremations may not exceed 50 people and all social distancing and health protocols must be observed.
- Night vigils and after-funeral gatherings are still not allowed.
- The sale of alcohol from retail outlets for off-site consumption will be permitted between 10 am and 6 pm from Monday to Thursday.
- Alcohol sales for on-site consumption will be permitted as per licence conditions up to 8 pm.
- Schools will re-open tomorrow, Monday the 26th of July, according to strict health protocols and other measures announced by the Minister of Basic Education.
It remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that always covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces.
by 