Plans for Easter laid out

Phase 2 of vaccine rollout likely next month for those over 60 and with comorbidities

REGISTRATION for Phase 2 of the vaccination roll-out, which will target people over 60 and people living with comorbidities, is expected to start in

April at over 2 000 sites across the country.

These sites include general practitioners’ rooms, community clinics and

REGISTRATION for Phase 2 of the vaccination roll-out, which will target people over 60 and people living with comorbidities, is expected to start in April at over 2 000 sites across the country.

These sites include general practitioners’ rooms, community clinics and pharmacies, retail outlets and larger facilities like stadiums and conference centres.

Addressing the nation last night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said people would be encouraged to register online, but those without online access would be able to register in person.

He explained that an Electronic Vaccination Data System has been established to manage the vaccine rollout and direct people towards vaccination sites closest to where they live.

Ramaphosa reported that this system would allow a person to register, receive an appointment date and site, and receive a digital certificate or a hard copy confirming their vaccination status once vaccinated.

“Everyone that will be vaccinated will have to be registered on the system first and you will be invited to register once you become eligible,” he said.

He added that the government was developing mechanisms to identify and register undocumented people so that they too can be vaccinated.

Phase 2 of the vaccination roll-out programme is expected to start in midMay and continue over six months.

“Although there have been delays in securing vaccine supplies, we are still confident in achieving our vaccination targets.

“The demand for vaccines around the world has become extremely competitive but we are doing our best to secure enough supply for the people of South Africa and the African continent,” he said.

Ramaphosa’s address last night came ahead of the busy Easter weekend where inter-provincial travel and large gatherings are expected.

He announced that South Africa would remain on lockdown alert Level 1 with some adjustments. The sale of alcohol at retail stores would be banned for off-site consumption on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The sale of alcohol at restaurants, shebeens and bars will still be allowed until 11pm.

The curfew will remain in place from midnight to 4am and public spaces such as parks, dams and beaches would remain open – provided physical distancing and mask-wearing was maintained.

Inter-provincial travel would also be allowed over the Easter weekend. However, Ramaphosa urged South Africans to limit their travel if possible.

Religious gatherings for up to 500 people outdoors and 250 people indoors will be allowed. Where a venue cannot accommodate those numbers with physical distancing in place, it must restrict its numbers to 50% capacity of the venue.

“For the second year in a row, we will again have to limit our interactions, particularly during the Easter period.

“This is so because we are still in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic,” Ramaphosa said.

While the government eased the restrictions on gatherings, he said they would review this in the next 15 days.

“We will closely monitor the situation and will respond swiftly to any signs of a resurgence of the virus,” he said.

Over the last year, the country has recorded more than 1.5 million cases of the coronavirus and there have been more than 52 000 recorded deaths from Covid-19.