The South African Medical Association (SAMA) welcomes the announcements by President Cyril Ramaphosa

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) welcomes the announcements by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday evening (30 March) in terms of the amended regulations for Lockdown Level 1. However, the Association cautions South Africans to remain vigilant and to continue practicing proper sanitising and social distancing.

“The easing of the restrictions in terms of gatherings is good news, especially at this time, but we must warn South Africans that we are not free of coronavirus, and all precautions must still be adhered to strictly. People must always still be careful about large gatherings, and they should still be as observant of the laws and rules as before: now is not the time to let your guard down,” says Dr Angelique Coetzee, Chairperson of SAMA.

SAMA says it remains concerned about the slow pace of the vaccine roll-out to South Africans, and urges the government to do everything it can to facilitate mass vaccination. 

“We really need to be vaccinating about one million people a month but at the current rate that will not happen. We are encouraged by the news of developments in terms of vaccine supply which is certainly good news. But, at the same time, we must have a proper vaccination plan in place to meet the demand to ensure we vaccinate as many people as possible in the shortest possible timeframes,” concludes Dr Coetzee.

[ENDS]