Tag Archive for: Regulations

Sisipho Ntsabo
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Third Wave of COVID-19 infections hit Africa

In Africa, there is an alarming third wave as the vaccine rollout is hampered. In recent light of the vaccine rollout in all parts of the world, third world countries vaccine rollout seems to be stagnant, experts fearing that it may take decades to vaccinate their respective countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) regional office has reported that the third wave of Covid-19 cases is spreading faster in Africa. On Thursday, 17 June 2021, WHO regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti warned, “With a rapid increase in the number of cases and increasing reports of severe disease, the latest wave threatens to be the worst to date in Africa,”

According to the regional office, for five consecutive weeks, Africa has seen an increase in Covid-19 cases, signaling the beginning of the third wave in Africa. “As of 20 June—day 48 into the new wave—Africa had recorded around 474 000 new cases—a 21% increase compared with the first 48 days of the second wave.” As reported by WHO, the pandemic is resurging in 12 African countries and at the current rate of infections, the ongoing surge is set to surpass the previous one by early July.

18 African countries have already used over 80% of their COVAX vaccine supplies, 29 have administered over 50% of their suppliers, and eight have exhausted their vaccine supply. It is important to be aware that just over 1% of Africa’s population has been fully vaccinated. Globally, 2.7 billion doses have been administered, with just under 1.5% having been administered in Africa.

Dr Moeti is urging the international community to help Africa deal with the Covid-19 vaccine supply as the surge threatens to impair not only Africa’s economy but society.

 

 

Sisipho Ntsabo
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India COVID-19 Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for Africa

India COVID-19 Crisis: A Wake-Up Call for Africa

Africa’s top health officials and the African Union have deemed the Indian COVID-19 crisis as a wake-up call for Africa. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the public health agency of the African Union has issued a warning to African governments and citizens to be cautious.

The resurgence in India’s COVID-19 cases is particularly concerning as India and Africa have roughly the same population. Furthermore, the fragile health systems of Africa could ultimately result in the same scenario as in India. Director of Africa CDC, John Nkengasong, warns that the African continent must be very, very prepared. He further highlights the lack of health care workers and oxygen in the continent. Nkengasong urges African countries to avoid mass gatherings.

Africa’s vaccine supply is heavily dependent on India as the AstraZeneca vaccines that are distributed by the global COVAX, is manufactured by the Serum Institute in India. This will adversely affect the rollout of vaccination programs in Africa. Africa has already suffered a setback as India decided to cut back on supply and reduced exports to address domestic needs.

As the world watches the COVID-19 crisis in Indian in disbelief, the Africa CDC has convened with the African Union an emergency meeting on May 8 to devise a collective action plan.

 

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

 

Andrew Stegmann
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Nigeria Places Travel Restrictions on South Africans to Curb New COVID Variant

Passengers travelling from South Africa to Nigeria will be subject to strict regulations effective from Monday 28 December 2020. The latest travel restrictions follow the discovery of 501.V2, a mutation of Covid-19 which is more contagious than the original virus.

While several countries have announced outright travel bans prohibiting the entry of passengers departing, or transiting through, South Africa, Nigeria has opted for a monitored approach.

Passengers from the UK and South Africa will be allowed to enter Nigeria on the condition that they present two documents. Travellers will need to obtain a pre-departure permit to fly – in the form of a unique QR code – from the Nigeria International Travel Portal. Additionally, visitors are required to submit proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test, obtained within 96 hours of the scheduled departure time.

Incoming passengers will be received and processed separately when disembarking from their flights. Nigeria’s Public Health Authority will oversee the arrival of passengers from both the UK and South Africa, with stringent isolated screening processes in place to prevent Covid-19 transmission within the confines of the airport.

Even with a negative Covid-19 test result, all passengers arriving from South Africa will be subjected to a mandatory seven-day quarantine period. Travellers will again be tested on the seventh day of self-isolation. A negative result will allow travellers to exit quarantine while a positive PCR test will require further isolation for a period prescribed by the Public Health Authority.

Incoming travellers will be monitored closely throughout their quarantine stay and have been urged to comply with all restrictions imposed by the Public Health Authority.

The government has also issued a stern warning to airlines which fail to follow protocols. Penalties include a fine of $3,500 (R51,000) for each defaulting passenger. Airlines may also be expected to return non-Nigerian defaulting passengers. Repeated non-compliance by any airline will lead to the suspension of the Airline`s Approval/Permit to fly into the country.

The announcement comes just days after the African Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that a new Covid-19 variant had been discovered in Nigeria. “It’s a separate lineage from the UK and the South African lineages,” said John Nkengasong, director of the African CDC.

Nkengasong added that it was still too early to tell if the new variant discovered in Nigeria was more contagious.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].

Andrew Stegmann
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South Africa Moves to Level 3 Lock-down as COVID Cases Rise Rapidly. Here are the New Restrictions

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that South Africa will move back to lockdown level 3, taking effect from midnight tonight.

In an address on Monday evening (28 December), Ramaphosa said that the move is being done to limit super-spreader events further, and will adjust previous level 3 regulations to keep the economy as open as possible.

It will also allow government to focus on the social distancing measures, and aims to ease the pressure on hospitals.

The change follows meetings held by the president and his cabinet as part of the National Coronavirus Command Council on Sunday, and come as the country surpasses 1 million cumulative Covid-19 infections and record daily increases.

“Nearly 27,000 South African are known to have died from Covid-19. The number of new coronovirus infections are increasing at an alarming rate. Infections are surging in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and Gauteng. Infections are alarmingly on the rise in Limpopo,” Ramaphosa siad.

“Infections are on the rise, in part, because we as humans are social beings. We feel the need to visit friends and family, attend religious services, and go to parties. But this is a time of danger,” the president warned.

Infections are being driven by super spreader events, the president said, which include year-end functions, family gatherings and music and cultural events.

“This is where infections happen most. This is cause for alarm, and points to an extreme lack of vigilance. We have let our guard down, and we are now paying the price,” he said. Venues are also being over-crowded, and social distancing and prevention protocols are not being followed.

Sale of alcohol

“One of the more difficult areas of regulation relates to the sale of alcohol,” the president said. “The liquor industry is a major employer and an important contributor to our economy. Our priority at this time, however, must be to save lives,” he said.

The president said that the consumption of alcohol has exacerbated the stress put on healthcare facilities, driving up the number of trauma cases in hospitals.

Worryingly, hospitals are reporting being at, or close to maximum capacity – while healthcare workers are exhausted and becoming infected in higher numbers. “They are almost at breaking point,” the president said. “All because of our actions, and failure to take responsibility. Unless we act now, and act decisively…thousands of more people will lose their lives.”

“Night clubs and businesses engaged in the sale and transportation of liquor will not be allowed to operate. The Level 3 restrictions will remain in place until 15 January 2021,” Ramaphosa said.

“These regulations may be reviewed within the next few weeks if we see a sustained decline in infections and hospital admissions,” Ramaphosa said.

Under the new lockdown level 3, the following takes effect:

  • All indoor and outdoor gatherings will be prohibited for 14 days, with an exception to funerals and places like restaurants and gyms. These exceptions will be clarified in the official regulations.
  • Nationwide curfew will be extended to 21h00 to 06h00. Aside from essential services, no one will be permitted to be out during this time. All establishments will close at 20h00, with a more specific list to be published soon.
  • Every individual will be responsible, legally, for wearing a mask in public. It is now compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public place. Violators will be guilty of an offence, and could be prosecuted. They could be liable for a fine or imprisonment, or both.
  • Alcohol sales from retail outlets and onsite consumption are banned. The prohibition on the public consumption of alcohol remains.
  • Businesses will continue to operate, subject to guidelines. Nightclubs and businesses that rely on alcohol sales will not be allowed to operate.
  • All beaches, dams, rivers and public parks and public pools in hotspot areas will be closed to the public.

These measures will be in place until 15 January 2021, at which time they will be reviewed based on the situation, Ramaphosa said.

A notable change is that, from midnight, it is compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public space. A person who does not wear a cloth mask covering over the nose and mouth in a public place will be committing an offence.

A person who does not wear a mask could be arrested and prosecuted. On conviction, they will be liable to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both a fine and imprisonment.

This is a drastic measure but is now necessary to ensure compliance with the most basic of preventative measures, the president said.

People living and moving within hotspot areas are recommended to keep travel as limited as possible.

The following areas have been declared hotspot regions:

  • Eastern Cape: Sarah Baartman, Chris Hani, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Amathole, OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo.
  • KwaZulu-Natal: eThekwini, Umgungundlovu, Ugu, Harry Gwala, Ilembe, King Cetshwayo.
  • Gauteng: West Rand, Tshwane, Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni.
  • Western Cape: the West Coast District, Overberg District, Winelands District, Cape Town, Central Karoo District are hotspots. This is in addition to the Garden Route District.
  • North West: Bojanala District.
  • Limpopo: the Waterberg District and the Capricorn District.

For information about COVID-19 from the World Health Organization, click here. To track cases, click here. To read President Ramaphosa’s address to the nation, click here.

 

For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.

Sources: [1], [2], [3]. Image sources: [1], [2].