Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Wednesday gazetted the extension of the National State of Disaster on Covid-19 until November 15.

Last month it was extended until October 15.

The government first declared a National State of Disaster on March 15, 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Dlaminin-Zuma explained that the latest extension follows consultations with stakeholders and approval by Cabinet. 

“The extension takes into account the need to continue observing all non-pharmaceutical interventions against Covid-19 and increasing vaccinations as part of contingency measures being undertaken to mitigate its impact,” she added.

Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa said South Africa will need to meet certain requirements before the country’s state of disaster regulations can be lifted, including whether appropriate Covid-19 prevention regulations are in place in each sector outside of the Disaster Management Act or if the Covid-19 pandemic ends.

Dlamini-Zuma stressed that government was trying to save lives and was committed to ensuring that more people got vaccinated to ensure the opening of the economy.