AfriForum set to challenge Covid-19 health regulations
30-day extension of current rules expired last night
AfriForum has said it is ready to fight any regulations that aim to make permanent the temporary Covid-19 rules.
This as the 30-day extension of the current regulations were due to expire last night.
“This means that unless the government makes another one of its late-night announcements no-one will be required to wear masks or comply with any other Covid-19 regulations from tomorrow [today], as no such regulations would exist and be enacted,” the organisation said.
The government extended the regulations for 30 days after the national state of disaster came to an end to pave the way for a new mechanism to apply Covid rules.
“Should the government go ahead with their plans to permanently keep these regulations in law, AfriForum, together with the public participation platform DearSA, will launch court action against government’s proposed regulations issued in terms of the National Health Act and the International Health Regulations Act.”
Jacques Broodryk, campaigns manager at AfriForum, said the organisation’s court documents have already been finalised and its legal team is standing by to fight these amendments immediately should they come into force.
“AfriForum will litigate to review the astoundingly and unjustifiable regulations,” he said.
“There is no reason these temporary health regulations should be made permanent. While many countries across the globe have dropped regulations such as the wearing of masks, the SA government wants to permanently place these measures in law. It’s absolutely illogical,” Broodryk said.