Cabinet Approves Changes to Level One COVID-19 Lockdown – No Isolation Required for Positive Cases Unless you Have Symptoms

Cabinet has approved changes to the adjusted level one COVID-19 lockdown regulations. 

This follows a special cabinet meeting on Monday between the Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) which received updates on the management of COVID-19 in South Africa. 

The presidency said the information gathered through the system used by the Health Department has reported that South Africa has exited the fourth wave nationally. 

“Based on the trajectory of the pandemic and the levels of vaccination in the country, Cabinet has decided to make the following changes to Adjusted Alert Level 1 with immediate effect: 

·      Those who test positive with no symptoms do not have to isolate.  

·      If you test positive with symptoms, the isolation period has been reduced from 10 to 7 days.

·      Contacts do not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms. 

Cabinet also reviewed the resumption of schooling to full-time learning in all schools. 

“Primary, secondary and special schools will return to daily attendance. The regulatory provision for social distancing of 1meter for learners in schools has also been removed. The Ministers of Health and Basic Education will in the coming days issue directives reflecting on this new approach. “

Government has reminded those who are yet to get vaccinated to go for their COVID-19 vaccination and continue observing basic health protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus.