The areas, services and businesses that could require mandatory vaccines in South Africa
Following the emergence of the new Omicron variant and the pending fourth wave, Business for South Africa (B4SA) is calling for a rapid move to restrict access to public indoor areas that are not required for emergency use, BusinessTech reports.
B4SA and a group of 22 scientists and experts said that certain public spaces should be subject to vaccine mandates or only be open to people who are vaccinated. This includes:
- Hospitals;
- Grocery stores;
- Certain government services;
- Large-scale events;
- Travel in buses, taxis and aeroplanes;
- Indoor establishments such as restaurants and taverns; and
- Places of worship.
The group said that these measures are necessary to save lives and avoid severe lockdown restrictions over the upcoming holiday period.
“This is in line with global restrictions and based on the science regarding airborne diseases. Ventilation and masks remain important, but we now need to look at enforcing a further layer of protection.”
B4SA is also calling on all employers to ensure safe working environments for their employees and customers, which in many instances should include restricting access to vaccinated individuals and implementing vaccine mandates wherever possible. This is per their responsibilities outlined in the Department of Labour’s OHS Directive, issued in July.
The group is also calling for lower limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings to be reintroduced.
“The global scientific community is in the process of determining the transmissibility of the new variant, and scientists’ initial view is that our current vaccines remain highly effective against death and severe illness,” said Kingston.
In short, vaccinations remain our best weapon against Covid-19, he said.
“The country has sufficient vaccines available, and it is imperative that as many people as possible get vaccinated as soon as possible so as to not overburden the health system and to minimise lockdown restrictions.
“South Africa cannot afford more personal or economic pain. We have a responsibility to protect ourselves and our communities and to safeguard both lives and livelihoods.”