The Department of Health has issued new protocols regarding Covid-19 contact tracing and self-isolation this week.

This is due to many people in SA already having some immunity to COVID-19 and because the previous self-isolation strategies are less effective against Omicron.

Here are a list of new regulations:

• Contact tracing has been stopped except in outbreaks or group settings.

• Quarantine is not necessary for people with no symptoms.

• People with symptoms, who’ve tested positive but do not need to go to hospital must self-isolate for 8 days.

• People with severe disease must isolate for 10 days.

Booster shots (update)
• J&J boosters are available from 24 December to anyone who received the J&J vaccine. It is important to get your booster at least 2 months after your first J&J vaccine.

• Pfizer boosters will be available from 28 December. You can get the booster 6 months after your second Pfizer jab.