South Africa will be bringing back strict COVID-19 restrictions to combat the most recent surge in cases believed to be driven by the more infectious delta variant.
Read more about South Africa to implement stricter regulations to curb coronavirus spread on Business Standard. As coronavirus cases have continues to surge, South Africa will move to lockdown level two from Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a televised address
By Joseph Choi - 02/07/21 04:32 PM EST
South Africa has stopped the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine after data emerged that showed it provided minimal protection against the South Africa coronavirus variant, which is currently dominant in the country.
Reuters reports that Health Minister Zweli Mkhize made the announcement on Sunday following disappointing results from a trial conducted by the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
The outlet reports that the South African government had planned to roll out doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Monday but will now offer the vaccines developed by Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer instead.
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“The AstraZeneca vaccine will remain with us . up until the scientists give us clear indications as to what we need to do,” Mkhize said.
South Africa will close border posts with neighbouring countries for entry and departure as cases surge due to the new coronavirus variant, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced. In a national broadcast on Monday evening, Ramaphosa scotched widespread speculation that there would be a move to Level 4 restrictions due to the rising infections and deaths, especially as people return home and to work following the festive season. He said the current Level 3 would continue until it was deemed safe to remove some of the restrictions, such as the ban on sale and movement of alcohol and a prohibition on public gatherings, except for funerals with strict protocols observed.