Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, says before the country ends the National State of Disaster, there is a need to ensure there are enough measures in place to handle future COVID-19 waves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said this when he participated in a debate on the State of the Nation Address on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs we are exiting the fourth wave of COVID-19, everyone is eager for this pandemic to come to an end. The reality, however, is that while we have learned more about the virus, we have more weapons and the virus is seemingly getting weaker, the war is far from over,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phaahla said as the President stated on Thursday in the SONA, the country wants to get out of the disaster situation sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his speech, the President said the country is now ready to enter a new phase in the management of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is our intention to end the national state of disaster as soon as we have finalised other measures under the National Health Act and other legislation to contain the pandemic,\u201d he President said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also said this was at the back of the fact that nearly 42% of all adults and 60% of everyone over 50 is fully vaccinated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more below: <\/p>\n\n\n\n