S Africa surpasses 1,00,000 Covid deaths; curbs to be eased despite warning of 5th wave

Johannesburg, Apr 2 (PTI) South Africa has surpassed 1,00,000-mark in COVID-19 related deaths, but government still plans to end lockdown restrictions "soon", despite scientists warnings that a fifth wave is imminent next month as winter season starts.

National Institute for Communicable Diseases reported on Friday that total number of fatalities from pandemic w stood at 1,00,020.

But government still plans to lift national State of Disaster “soon” and has plans to introduce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy in country, Deputy President David Mabuza told South African parliament.

Mabuza was responding to oral questions in parliament.

“We think (forcing people to vaccinate) would be crossing ‘red line’. All we can do is encour our people to go and vaccinate," Mabuza said.

Despite a wide range of initiatives to encour large-scale vaccination, re has a been a great reluctance to do so, spurred on by optimism after government relaxed regulations that enforced mask-wearing in public, and opened up sports and entertainment facilities to increased spectator and audience numbers.

Mabuza said easing of se regulations anunced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week was part of attempts to convince citizens to take vaccine voluntarily, as y would be required to show this when attending events.

Mabuza also said plans anunced by Ramaphosa for amended health regulations to replace much harsher 'State of Disaster' laws that have been in place for over two years w were underway, despite warnings from experts about risk of a fifth wave.

He confirmed views of some scientists that this wave would be less severe than previous ones, because population h reportedly developed a level of herd immunity.

While government would t enforce vaccination, new health regulations, which are out for public comment until 15 April before being promulgated, still make provision for employers to insist on staff being vaccinated to continue working in ir offices.

While government mandate will be introduced, planned regulations will still allow private groups to introduce ir own mandates.

Some major companies have been at centre of controversy for insisting that employees provide proof of vaccination, especially those who work in areas where y come into contact with members of public as part of ir duties.

Unions have opposed this move and have threatened to challenge it in court as an infringement of constitutional rights of employees.

PTI FH IND IND SRY