As the COVID-19 cases in South Africa continue to rise amid the third wave, Wits University director of vaccines and infectious diseases Professor Shabir Madhi says the important feature of the spread of the virus is closeness of an individual being in contact with another person. Professor Madhi was speaking to Radio Islam on Wednesday about people taking a more nuanced approach in terms of understanding what the actual risks of the Coronavirus are. On Sunday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced it remains mandatory for every person to wear a face mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces and that it is a criminal offence not to do so.