Covid-19: Less restrictive lockdown and more research in vaccines

South Africa has entered its 77th week of the Covid-19 lockdown, and this week brought some good news to citizens. 

Lockdown level 2 welcomed by many
As of September 13, the country has moved to adjusted Level 2 lockdown which allows for larger gatherings, staying out until 11pm, buying alcohol for off-site consumption between Monday and Friday, among others.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the lowering of the lockdown level is owing to the decline in Covid-19 cases in recent days. This easing of restrictions means South Africa’s curfew is now between 23:00 and 04:00, with establishments such as restaurants and gyms needing to close at 22:00 to enable staff to make it home before the curfew hour.

Gatherings are limited to 250 people indoors and 500 people outdoors. Where the venue is too small to accommodate these numbers, no more than 50% of the premises’ capacity may be utilised. The sale of alcohol for off-site consumption is now permitted from 10:00 to 18:00 Monday-Friday, while on-site consumption is allowed at licenced establishments until 22:00. These regulations will be reviewed after two weeks of implementation.

Are 12-year-olds next in line for Covid-19 vaccines?
Two thousand South African children over the age of 12 enrolled into the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine trials on September 10, which took place at the Sefako Makgatho University in GaRankuwa. They will be part of 14 000 children between 12 and 17 years old across five countries partaking in the first paediatric phase of Covid-19 trials to see if the vaccine is safe for minors.

The South African Medical Research Council’s (SAMRC) Professor Glenda Gray stated that such a trial is the first step towards securing a safe and reliable Covid-19 vaccine for children. The study will test the efficacy of Sinovac’s two-dose CoronaVac vaccine, which has already been approved for usage among adults in over 50 countries.

No deaths linked to Covid-19 vaccines
The Department of Health and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) confirmed that no deaths have been linked to Covid-19 vaccines. This as much misinformation and disinformation around how the vaccines cause further health issues or even kill those who have had a jab, is doing the rounds on social media. According to Sahpra, of the 14 922 954 Covid-19 vaccines administered until September 13, no deaths had been caused by them.

They confirmed that, like most vaccines, side-effects were experienced for a day or two which included headaches, soreness around the injection site, fatigue, pain, fever, nausea and other non-lethal side-effects.

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