- Adami Geldenhuys
Covid-19 Regulatory Update: 8 - 14 September 2021
Updated: Sep 17, 2021
This edition refers to the following issues:
the move to Adjusted Alert Level 2;
the approval by the South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) of
the Pfizer COMIRNATY Vaccine for individuals twelve years and older and
the study of an orally administered pill for patients with symptomatic Covid-19 who do not require hospital care;
the extension of the national state of disaster;
and news on mandatory vaccination and vaccine passports.
Extension of National State of Disaster
ALCOHOL BAN
Maromo, Jonisayi. Beer industry already losing sleep over 4th wave alcohol ban, saying it will sound the death knell. - 2021 Sept 13 IOL News
Moultrie, T.A. [et al.]. Unnatural deaths, alcohol bans and curfews: Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment during COVID-19. - 2021 111(9) South African Medical Journal p812
South Africa has eased restrictions on alcohol sales – but businesses are already warning about another ban. - 2021 Sept 13 Business Tech
COMPETITION
Mkentane, Luyolo. Price gouging prevented during Covid-19, competition watchdog says. -
CORRUPTION
Update: case against Babita Deokaran’s alleged killers postponed. - 2021 Sept 13 EWN
[Extract from article: “The case against six suspects charged with the murder of senior Gauteng health official Babita Deokaran has been postponed…The slain whistleblower, was the department’s acting chief financial officer, was assisting the Special Investigating Unit in its investigation into the multimillion-rand personal protective equipment tender corruption that’s rocked the provincial health department.”]
South African Police Service. Special Investigating Unit and National Health Laboratory Services freezes properties and trust account linked to Hamilton Ndlovu. - 9 September 2021. [Extract from article: “The SIU investigated corruption allegations and the circumstances in which eight companies directly and indirectly linked to Mr. Ndlovu had obtained contracts worth a total of R172 million for the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from the NHLS.”]
ELECTIONS
Political parties urged to comply with COVID-19 protocols ahead of elections. -
EMPLOYMENT
Myeni, Nombulelo and Mthalane, Gugulethu. Restraints remain valid during the pandemic. - 2021 Sep 8 Lawtons Africa [Extract from article: “On 20 May 2021, in the case of Bulldog Abrasives Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd v Davie and Another the Labour Court found that while the Covid-19 pandemic has had severe and, in some cases, irreversible effects on the economy of the country, employees cannot opportunistically use it as a reason to breach restraint of trade agreements.”]
EXTENSION OF NATIONAL STATE OF DISASTER
Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002: Extension of National State of Disaster (Covid-19) to 15 October 2021.
RGN867 GG 45155 p3 12 September 2021
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202109/45155rg11336gon867.pdf
INSURANCE
Kruger, Adriaan. Covid-19 claims cost Sanlam billions. - 2021 Sept 10 Moneyweb
IVERMECTIN
Dawson, Bethany. US hospital gets permission to stop prescribing ivermectin for Covid, reversing lawsuit forcing its hand. - 2021 Sept 13 Business Insider US
LAND AND PROPERTY LAW
Evictions and adjusted lockdown levels | Advice for tenants and landlords. -
Jordaan, Gavin. COVID regulations and evictions. - 2021 Aug 26 Rauch Gertenbach
[Extract from article: “It is however pertinent to note is that there seems to be a misconception among certain tenants and private landlords that irrespective of what lockdown level the country finds itself in, there exists a blanket ban not only on the launching of eviction applications but also the granting of an order upon a successful application.”]
LOCKDOWN CONTRAVENTIONS
Makinana, Andisiwe. Ethics committee convicts EFF leader Julius Malema. - 2021 Sept 12 Times Live [Extract from article: "The joint committee on ethics has found that Malema violated the code of ethics for MPs by failing to uphold the law when he called for foreign nationals to find "creative ways" to enter SA after its borders were closed in terms of the Covid lockdown in January…”]
LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS
Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 : Adjusted Alert Level 2: Amendments to Regulations issued in terms of Section 27(2): Amendment of RGN480 of 29 April 2020 as amended by RGN608 of 28 May 2020; RGN714 of 25 June 2020; RGN763 of 12 July 2020; RGN846 of 31 July 2020; GN891 of 17 August 2020; GN999 of 18 September 2020; GN1011 of 20 September 2020; GN1053 of 1 October 2020; GN1104 of 21 October 2020; GN1199 of 11 November 2020; GN1290 of 3 December 2020; GN1346 of 15 December 2020; GN1370 of 17 December 2020; GN1421 of 24 December 2020; RGN1423 of 29 December 2020; RGN1435 of 29 December 2020 ; RGN11 of 11 January 2021; RGN69 of 1Feb2021; RGN92 of 13Feb2021; RGN93 of 13Feb2021; RGN152 of 28 February 2021; RGN284 of 30Mar2021; GN376 of 23 April 2021; RGN477 of 31May2021; RGN530 of 15Jun2021; RGN532 of 17Jun2021; RGN565 of 27Jun2021; RGN567 of 29Jun2021; RGN610 of 11Jul2021; RGN612 of 14July2021; RGN614 of 14July2021; RGN651 of 25Jul2021 and GN669 of 30 July2021.
In operation on 13 September 2021.
RGN869 GG 45156 p4 12Sept2021
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202109/45156rg11337gon869s.pdf
Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 : Determination of Alert Level: Coronavirus COVID-19 Alert Level 2 will apply nationally from 13 September 2021.
RGN868 GG 45156 p3 12Sep2021
https://www.gov.za/sites/default/files/gcis_document/202109/45156rg11337gon868.pdf
Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on progress in the national effort to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. 12 September 2021
Maqhina, Malibongwe. Most political parties and Cosatu welcome easing of lockdown restrictions but DA wants more. - 2021 Sept 13 IOL News
Ramaphosa, Cyril. South Africa moves to Alert Level 2 after Covid-19 infections decline. -
MEDICINES
Regulator approves Covid-19 pill study in South Africa. - 2021 Sept 13 Business Tech
[Extract from article: "The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has approved the study of an orally administered pill for patients with symptomatic Covid-19 who do not require hospital care."]
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
Moodley, Clinton. Mauritius travel ban lifted for South Africans. - 2021 Sept 13 IOL News
Seychelles removes SA from list of restricted countries. - 2021 Sept 13 BizCommunity
VACCINES
Adverse Effects
Matshoba, Akhona. No one has died from Covid-19 vaccines in SA – Saphra. - 2021 Sept 14 MoneyWeb
Booster Shots and Vaccine Mandates
Booster shots and vaccine mandates: the new plan to beat Covid-19. - 2021 Sept 11 CNBC Africa
Covid-19 Disinformation / Misinformation
Bird, William and Smith, Thandi. Disinformation in a time of Covid-19: While lying delights in darkness, transparency shines a light. - 2021 Sept 12 Daily Maverick
Mandatory Vaccination
Broughton, Tania. Durban judge wants proof of Covid-19 jab or you’re barred from courtroom. - 2021 Sept 12 Times Live
Buthelezi, Londiwe. We won't make vaccination mandatory, but we might move anti-vaxxers around - Momentum CEO. - 2021 Sept 12 Fin24
Calls for mandatory vaccination for healthcare workers, medical students. -
Joffe, Hilary. Mines have best case for making workplace vaccination mandatory. -
Khoza, Sinenhlanhla. Can Covid-19 vaccinations be made compulsory by employers? -
2021 Aug 10 Phatshoane Henney Attorneys
Shell weighs ‘jab or job’ policy for employees –document. - 2021 Sept 9 IOL News
Procurement
Ginindza, Banele. Government’s centralising of vaccine procurement muddies the waters. -
Sputnik Vaccine
Kahn, Tamara. SA medicines regulator accused of blocking Sputnik vaccine. - 2021 Sept Business Day
Vaccination of Children
Ciaglo, Michael. SAHPRA approves Pfizer vaccine for minors. - 2021 Sept 12 eNCA
Kahn, Tamar. SA targets improved vaccine coverage for adults before offering jabs to children - Authorities weighing when to vaccinate children. - 2021 Sept 13 Business Live
Mlambo, Sihle. 2000 SA children to take part in Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine trial for under 18s. - 2021 Sept 9 IOL News
Extract from article: “The South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) has approved the use of the Pfizer COMIRNATY Vaccine in terms of Section 21 of the Medicines and Related Substance Act 101 of 1965 (The Medicines Act) to include individuals twelve (12) years and older. This was as a consequence of the review of updated safety and efficacy information submitted as conditions of Section 21 initially authorised on 16 March 2021. Section 21 of the Medicines Act is a mechanism that enables emergency use access and also enables SAHPRA to authorise the use of medicine subject to certain conditions.”
Vaccination Passports
Gerber, Jan. Government will soon provide details on Covid-19 vaccination passports, says Ramaphosa. - 2021 Sept 13 News24
Pillay, Kailene. Call for protests against Covid-19 vaccination ’passport’. - 2021 Sept 13 IOL
Thebus, Shakirah. Cape Town bars and pubs mulling vaccine passport in a bid to protect patrons, staff. - 2021 Sept 9 IOL News