announcement<\/a> <\/strong>made by the presidency on Monday evening (31 January), which further relaxed the country’s adjusted level 1 lockdown rules.<\/p>\nKey changes in the regulations are the removal of social distancing requirements at schools – enabling them to return to full-time teaching – and removing some isolation requirements for those who test positive for Covid-19.<\/p>\n
Based on the trajectory of the pandemic and the levels of vaccination in the country, the government decided that those who test positive for Covid-19 with no symptoms no longer have to enter into isolation.<\/p>\n
Those who do exhibit symptoms will still be required to isolate, but the isolation period has been reduced, the presidency said.<\/p>\n
“The rationale for these amendments is informed by the proportion of people with immunity to Covid-19 which has risen substantially, exceeding 60-80% in several serosurveys,” it said.<\/p>\n
Notably, however, the relaxed rules do not give complete freedom. In cases where someone tests positive, is symptomatic, and refuses to be treated or enter isolation, the government may get a warrant to force them to do so.<\/p>\n
The key changes are outlined in more detail below.<\/p>\n
\nIsolation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- Any person who is a confirmed laboratory positive Covid-19 case and is asymptomatic (showing no symptoms) is not required to isolate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Any person who is a confirmed laboratory positive Covid-19 case and is symptomatic must isolate for a period of seven days unless a longer period is recommended by a medical practitioner.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Any person who is a confirmed laboratory positive Covid-19 case and is symptomatic must comply with an oral or written instruction of a medical practitioner, a nurse or enforcement officer to subject himself or herself to isolation at a health facility, or self-isolation, to contain the transmission of Covid-19.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- If a person refuses to isolate himself or herself as instructed or directed a magistrate may make an order compelling them to do so.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Refusal of treatment and isolation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n- No person who is a confirmed laboratory positive Covid-19 case and is symptomatic may refuse to be treated or to be admitted to a health establishment for treatment or isolation in order to prevent transmission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- If a person does not comply, that person must be placed in isolation at a health facility for a period not exceeding 48 hours, pending the issuing of a warrant.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- A warrant may be issued by a magistrate if it appears that a person has Covid-19 and is symptomatic, and will lapse when they deem fit or its purpose has lapsed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n