Statement by the Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van Der Ross

The announcement by Cabinet of reduced Covid-19 isolation protocols comes just days after the Western Cape officially exited the fourth wave.

What it means is that persons who test positive for Covid-19, but are asymptomatic, do not have to isolate.

Those who do have symptoms, need to isolate for 7 days, instead of 10, and persons who have been in close contact with a positive case need not isolate, unless they develop symptoms.

It is quite a departure from the protocols until now, and while it is a step in the right direction, we encourage the public to remain vigilant at all times and to continue adhering to the safety protocols of:

• wearing a mask at all times in public spaces

• keeping your distance and sanitising regularly

• avoiding crowded spaces

The development is the result of a growing number of people who have developed immunity to Covid-19, and vaccination has been a key contributing factor.

The public is reminded to get vaccinated if they haven’t done so already, or to report for their booster vaccine doses at their nearest public or private vaccination site.

Persons are eligible for their Pfizer booster shot six months after they’ve had their second dose of the vaccine, while those who received the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine can receive a booster dose two months later.

We are encouraged by the increased rate of vaccinations in recent weeks, after a dramatic but not unexpected slowdown over the festive season.

Approximately 43% of the adult population in the Cape metropole have been vaccinated, and since early January, over 40 000 booster doses have been administered.

Vaccination works, and greatly reduces the risk of severe illness, so we encourage our residents to do their bit and get their jab.

Source: City Of Cape Town