South Africa hints at limiting amenities to the vaccinated for public safety

*South African Minister for Health Joe Phaahla says legal people have suggested once there is sufficient COVID-19 vaccination coverage in the country, the government should be able to actually make demands even at public amenities

Alexander Davis│ConsumerConnect

In relation to the need to protect the wellbeing of fellow citizens amid the raging Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country, South African (SA) has hinted it may limit the use of public facilities to the vaccinated people against the damaging virus.

Joe Phaahla, South African Minister for Health, who stated this measure in the National Council of Provinces Tuesday, August 31, 2021, however, noted that the government has yet to take a decision on it as the issue is still being discussed by the authorities, agency report said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa

Phaahla said that the Southern African country’s Department of Labour and Employment had already given directives, allowing employers to make the decision on whether to make vaccination a requirement.

The SA Health Minister noted: “The opinion we are getting from legal people, that once there is sufficient coverage, we should be able to arrive at the stage where we can actually make demands even at public amenities.”

“You can’t have your cake and eat it. You have the right to not have a vaccination, but you have no right to endanger the lives of other people,” stated Phaahla

About six million of the country’s about 40 million adults have been fully vaccinated thus far, according to report.