On Sunday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said that he is awaiting a report regarding SA’s possible introduction of vaccine mandates.
“We are expecting a report from the Task Team we have set up as well as the Inter-Ministerial Council.”
It was also emphasised that everyone should act with speed “so that Cabinet can take a decision on the matter.”
The haste comes as the country faces a rising wave of Covid-19 infections
“When the National Coronavirus Council Committee meets, I am expecting a report from the Task team that we have set up. Of course, it could be slowed down by the intensity of consultations and talking to various sectors of society and if that is the report, I am willing to allow that to ensue but we cannot waste too much time on that,” Ramaphosa said.
President Rampahosa further stated that he is expecting the turnaround time to be quick, however, he is not shutting the door on consultations.
“I will listen to that and if needs be, I will also be willing to engage with some of those constituencies.”
The president is open to making vaccination mandatory and would like to see discussions around this subject.
“I would like a discussion to ensue in the country. We live in a country where a number of people have strong views for and against mandatory vaccination. My task as a leader is to nudge everyone in the same direction and through the dialogue that we should have, hopefully, we will get everyone to move in the direction where we will all be aware as South Africans about the danger of being unvaccinated.”
President Ramaphosa ended off by reminding all citizens that the vaccine is the “strongest weapon” against the pandemic.
“I believe very strongly in vaccinations and they are one of our strongest weapons against COVID-19. I believe that we should give our people a chance so that they can go through this and see the dangers of not being vaccinated.”
South Africa’s Covid-19 cases continue to rise
In the last 24 hours, 11 125 new Covid-19 cases have been reported. This takes the confined cases since the beginning of the pandemic to 3 031 694.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Gauteng is the province with the most cases, with 7 929 new cases. And following is the Western Cape with 807 new cases and then KZN with 687 cases.
“This increase represents a 23.8% positivity rate,” the NICD said on Sunday.
Media Statement: President awaits report on possible introduction of vaccine mandates