7 April 2022
# The government’s newly proposed health regulations will simply transfer the power afforded to the state by the state of disaster to the National Health Act. This is the view of several organisations and stakeholders determined to prevent a series of controversial Covid-related rules from becoming law. Last month the government published a string of directions and regulations relating to the pandemic. Those voicing concern about their implications, once adopted, include civil rights organisation AfriForum, trade union Solidarity, the National Employers’ Association of South Africa, the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa, political parties, and law experts. AfriForum’s campaign officer Reiner Duvenage says the government claims the regulations will assist in limiting the spread of Covid-19, but its actions are an abuse of power.
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He says they are taking legal action.
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The Chief Executive of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa, Gerhard Papenfus, says the government declared Covid-19 a Group 3 Hazardous Biological agent.
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He says the regulations will require businesses, based on a risk assessment, to introduce their own mandatory vaccination policies.
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Papenfus says the association is preparing a High Court challenge to protect both employers and employees. South Africans have until Saturday 16 April to submit comments on the amendments.’