This archive report was first published on 13 September 2021.
South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced plans to introduce Covid-19 vaccine passports, as the country eases movement restrictions. This move comes as the country struggles with low vaccine take-up, particularly among men, despite being Africa's worst-hit country for Covid.
On September 12, 2021, Ramaphosa addressed the nation, stressing that an immunised adult population is key to fully reopening the economy and avoiding a fourth infection wave. He stated that in two weeks, the government will provide further information on an approach to 'vaccine passports', which can be used as evidence of vaccination for various purposes and events.
However, Ramaphosa also announced that a sustained decline in infections over the last few weeks would allow for an easing of confinement measures from Monday. The night-time curfew will be shortened, starting at 11:00 pm instead of 10, and limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings will be increased. Restrictions on the sale of alcohol will also be relaxed, although face masks remain mandatory in public.
– Vaccination the Priority – ¶
South Africa has passed the peak of a stubborn third infection wave driven by the Delta coronavirus variant, according to Ramaphosa. The average number of daily new infections has been 29 percent lower over the past seven days than during the previous week, and 48 percent lower than the week before that.
With jab supplies no longer a constraint, Ramaphosa emphasized that vaccination is the country's most urgent task. He warned that if many people are not vaccinated, the chance of new and more dangerous variants emerging is far greater.
