How do you feel about the rules on wearing a mask being lifted in South Africa?
Residents in Pretoria had mixed reactions to the change that comes after over two years of wearing masks.
South Africans can breathe freely after it was announced that they are no longer required to wear a mask in public.
This comes after health minister Joe Phaahla published the latest amendments in the government gazette on June 22, where the rules on wearing masks and the limitation on public events and gatherings have been lifted.
Residents in Pretoria had mixed reactions to the change that comes after over two years of wearing masks.
This is what they had to say:
– Koketso Mphofu agreed wearing masks has been a part of our lives for a while and he felt uncomfortable walking around with one on but he is happy to go back to what life used to be like before we had to wear them.
– Lerato Mailula felt like the mask had been suffocating her and it feels great to be able to breathe again.
– Camryn Hayes has mixed feelings. “I am sort of relieved but terrified at the same time because we don’t know what could happen next. I am also happy that I can show off my smile again,” she said.
– Njabulo Mlambo added that he felt like he was dying under the mask and is relieved that we don’t have to wear them anymore.
No stranger to the effects of the Covid-19 virus, Arthur Beckmann said that he was happy to stop wearing masks.
He highlighted that the “theatre show” has gone on for too long and was glad that it had come to an end.
– Hanno Coetzer said that he felt fabulous now that he does not have to wear a mask. He added that it might take some time for others to adjust.
“This is a step in the right direction and I think that this will give us a sense of hope that things are changing for the better,” said Sthembiso Maluleka.
Many of the reactions had been positive from the residents of Pretoria; however, Willliam Maluleke raised concerns about the winter season and “how we are all prone to get the cold or flu, which could be a gateway to more airborne illnesses”.
“We would be vulnerable as we do not have masks to protect us.”
He believes that the change had happened sooner than he expected and that it may have been a risky decision.
– Mikateko Nghonyama said: “I believe that this was the right decision, the mask was used as a preventative measure and now that we will go back to not wearing them, I think that our bodies will create better antibodies to fight other viruses.”
– Daniel Christian agreed it would take a lot of getting used to because “this has been our lives for over two years, we now have to adjust to the change in rules”.
-Tebogo Tshigo was more excited about being able to hear people properly as it had been a struggle to communicate while wearing a mask.
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