No outdoor masks, more allowed at stadiums as Covid regulations relaxed
Two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, South Africans will no longer be required to wear face masks when outdoors.
The announcement was made by President Cyril Ramaphosa during an address to the nation on Tuesday evening.
People will however still be required to wear masks when in public indoor spaces.
“As before, it is mandatory to wear a cloth mask or similar covering over the nose and mouth when in public indoor spaces," said Ramaphosa.
“However, a mask is not required when outdoors. This means that we still need to wear masks when in shops, malls, offices, factories, taxis, buses, trains or any other indoor public space.
“But we do not need to wear masks when walking on the street or in an open space, when exercising outdoors or when attending an outdoor gathering.”
Ramaphosa also reiterated that the two-year state of disaster will soon come to an end.
It will be soon be replaced by government’s new health regulations.
Stadium and other public gatherings can now fill 50% of the venues’ capacity provided they have proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test.
Funerals will now be allowed groups of 200 people - up from the previous 100.
Social distancing will be reduced to one metre, except for schools.
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