While many may have rejoiced over the thought of a fully mask-free society and returning to some form of normality following the Covid-19 pandemic, others are not as convinced.
While companies and shopping malls have begun the process of disbanding their no mask no entry policies, officials still warn that the pandemic is not over.
For some locals, who spoke to People’s Post, the return to normal should remain a personal choice.
“I will continue to wear my mask. I have seen what Covid-19 can do and I do not want to get it. I will protect myself as best I can,” says Winston Tosh.
For Tosh, he supports anyone’s freedom to decide not to wear a mask, but asks for understanding and acceptance of those who chose to continue.
Jessica Alexander, who works in a shopping centre, says on Thursday morning there had already been a large number of people not wearing a mask.
“Our policy had not yet been amended, so we were still wearing masks as staff. Customers would come in and ask us why we are still wearing masks now that it was not needed anymore,” she says.
“I work with so many people and I think for me I would like to keep it for now.”
For the past two years, the wearing of masks was enforced by law and could see defaulters landing jail time or fines.
Over the past few months, several changes to the mask policy were made, including the regulation that enabled locals to forgo the mask during outdoor events.
The move to remove masks completely could not come quick enough for Angus Fillies.
“I was never a fan of these masks. Being denied freedom of movement without one and then people still getting sick anyway, even if they had one to begin with. It was a measure of control and I already threw all mine out. I am not interested in ever having to go back to wearing a mask,” he says.
Throughout the pandemic, groups had lobbied against the regulations with protest action. This included the protesting of the beach ban and the wearing of masks in public.
On Wednesday 22 June, National Health Minister Joe Phaahla amended three existing Covid-19 regulations with a publication in the Government Gazette. These regulations meant the wearing of masks in any public settings were no longer required, the regulations on the number of persons allowed at gatherings were also lifted and the entry limitations for travel requiring vaccination or a negative Covid-19 test has also been lifted.
But Covid-19 still poses a threat. With 13 318 active cases in the country, 2 983 are in the Western Cape. An additional four deaths were recorded on Sunday 26 June bringing the total to more than 102 000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.
Premier Alan Winde welcomed the regulation modifications as the provincial government had been calling for a return to normal for some time.
“It is long overdue, though,” says Winde in a statement. “It is now up to all residents to use lessons they have learnt over the past two years to keep themselves safe. It is about individual responsibility.”
Winde says the regulations severely impacted on the economic growth and freedoms of the province and country as a whole. He added that the health system has proven capable and that it is time for the economy to now heal.
