Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla on Thursday announced the extension of the public comment period on the proposed amendments to the National Health Act to allow the public to make submissions on platforms such as WhatsApp.

The regulations are part of the government’s transition plans from the National State of Disaster, which had been in effect for over two years. The new regulations will effectively act as a new instrument for government to manage the current Covid pandemic and future pandemics.

President Cyril Ramaphosa ended the National State of Disaster earlier this month, after 750 days of it being enacted and announced interim safety protocols in its place.

South Africans were initially given until 16 April to make their inputs on the proposed changes to the health regulations but now have until April 24.

“In addition to the email that was used for commenting, people can also use WhatsApp to comment on the changes,” said Health Department director-general Sandile Buthelezi.

Phaahla said that since the breakout of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, government looked at ways in which it could provide guidance to the country and public in terms of public health measures.

He noted that as the severity of the pandemic lowers, government has found it necessary to end the use of the Disaster Management Act and ask various departments to look at other regulations that could still assist with public health measures to ensure that government reduces the risk and severity of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As part of efforts to manage transmission during large gatherings, continued restrictions will be placed on night vigils and after-funeral gatherings.

Indoor and outdoor gatherings may be occupied up to 50% of the venue capacity, provided valid vaccine certificates are produced.

For gatherings where no valid vaccine certificates are required, artificial limits of 1 000 and 2 000 people will apply for indoor and outdoor gatherings, respectively.

Face masks will be compulsory for indoor gatherings, with the regulations specifying that people cannot enter public premises or use public transport without a mask.

Substantive comments must be sent to e-mail: legalreviews@health.gov.za or website link: https://www.health.gov.za/public-comments-on-regulations/ or send the word comment to WhatsAPP number: 060 012 3456