The South African health authorities on Friday said an upcoming COVID-19 vaccination drive will target the undocumented, vulnerable, and those living in remote areas reported CGTN Africa.
“A key feature of this Vooma Vaccination Weekend will include the vaccination of vulnerable people, including undocumented citizens and individuals who have lost their identity documents,” said Foster Mohale, spokesperson for the country’s health department.
“Our message as a country has always been that no one will be left behind because no one is safe unless we are all safe,” Mohale said adding that “the COVID-19 vaccine is the most effective way of ensuring this is achieved.”
He said they will vaccinate people attending sporting, cultural, and religious events. Notably, people will be allowed to attend matches at the stadiums with effect from April 8.
The spokesman said following the discussions between the South African government and the Premier Soccer League, it has been decided that there will be vaccination services at the soccer stadiums during the weekend, to enable vaccination of unvaccinated and partly vaccinated soccer-loving fans.
The government said before that a 70 percent vaccination rate could protect the country against the pandemic.
Earlier this week, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that the government has decided to lift the national state of disaster, which had lasted for 750 days. He said the national state of disaster, which was first declared on 15 March 2020, has been the main mechanism of the government in the fight against the pandemic.
Ramaphosa informed that some transitional measures, such as the wearing of masks indoors and providing a vaccination certificate or a negative Covid-19 test at large events, will remain in place for the next 30 days. After that, more permanent regulations are expected to help the government manage COVID-19 going forward.
He reassured South Africans that the COVID-19 Vaccine Injury No-Fault Compensation Scheme would remain in place.
