On Tuesday 29th March, COGTA Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma published a new set of regulations under the State of National Disaster and has given until 5pm on Friday 1st April 2022, for comment. According to a media statement by Government this morning, these regulations will only be in place for 30 days after the State of National Disaster ends, which is expected to be on 5 April 2022. Thereafter they will automatically lapse. 

 

The COGTA Minister’s regulations are therefore designed as an interim measure. They essentially replicate the proposed restrictions that are contained in the Draft Health Regulations and affirm Government’s intention to limit gatherings to 1,000 people indoors and 2,000 people outdoors unless you can show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. They are intended to fill in the gap between the end of the State of National Disaster and the implementation of the new Draft Health Regulations, which are currently open for comment until Friday 15th April. 

 

Let us repeat for the sake of clarity: The COGTA Minister’s regulations gazetted last night are simply a “stop gap” measure. Once the State of National Disaster ends, then all the regulations that were made under it will end and fall away, except for this final set, which will only have authority for 30 days. 

 

It is FOR SA’s view that we MUST keep our focus and our comments and submissions on the main thing: the Draft Health Regulations. These will literally dictate our way of life and our society going forward and indefinitely. 

 

It is therefore vitally important that every individual and every religious organisation mobilises and sends in submissions on these Draft Health Regulations before Friday 15th April. We need as many voices as possible to speak out and oppose what in FOR SA’s view are draconian and unconstitutional measures. 

 

Do not be discouraged by ignorant messages saying that unless your submission is in your own words, it does not count. Every submission counts – and the more submissions we make, the louder our voices become.

 

You can make your submission by going to the www.forsa.org.za website and clicking on the link in the banner. Take action now – and make sure that your voice is heard!

 

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