Deputy Health Minister, Sibongiseni Dhlomo, says in the meantime, pupils must still wear masks at school as Covid-19 numbers continue to rise, and experts say the fifth COVID-19 wave is upon us.

"We have extended this period of consultation and comment on regulations up to 5 July but there were three specific regulations that we want to champion earlier, ahead of the rest," he said.

ALSO READ: #CoronavirusSA: 5,486 new cases reported

 "The wearing of masks - actually there was a challenge and mistake, we still insist on the wearing of the masks in school, high school, and primary school as we insist on the wearing of the mask in any close confinement."

#COVID19 UPDATE: 21,692 tests were conducted in the last 24hrs, with 5,486 new cases, which represents a 25.3% positivity rate. Today @HealthZA reports 7 deaths; of which 5 occurred in the past 24–48 hrs. Total fatalities are 100,523 to date: https://t.co/5kONaE7NE5 pic.twitter.com/fxQ7OgK4OF

— NICD (@nicd_sa) May 8, 2022

"Number two: it was the issue of gathering, we want to make sure that gatherings are at this number, 1,000 indoor and 2,000 outdoor and if you want to have 50% of the venue, 6,000 auditorium in church and half of that when people are wearing masks, the third one is with regards to travellers..."

"While we are busy getting more comments, we would like to have these ones going forward guiding us."

eNCA