South African President H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, has announced a further easing of lockdown restrictions as hospital admissions and severe Covid-19 symptoms remain low in the southern African country. Changes to lockdown regulations will include increasing the size of gatherings, less restrictive travel restrictions, and updates to mandatory mask mandates.
Announced last month during his National Address, President Ramaphosa described how, due to the immunization of approximately 60-80% of the public through vaccines or previous Covid-19 exposure, life in the country has begun to achieve a state of normalcy, with the South African economy gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels.
“For two years now, our lives have been shaped by this pandemic,” stated President Ramaphosa, adding, “After four waves of infections, fewer people are becoming ill and there are fewer deaths than before.”
Under the new regulations, the limit of attendees for indoor and outdoor events will be eased to 50% of a venue’s capacity, provided attendees show proof of vaccination or receive a negative Covid-19 test from the previous 72 hours. Additionally, vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to provide a negative PCR test, providing relief to the country’s tourism and travel industries.
“Travelers entering South Africa will need to show proof of vaccination or negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. All vaccinated travelers entering the country who want to be vaccinated will be offered a vaccine,” President Ramaphosa said.
With South Africa’s coastal city of Cape Town having been selected as the host of this year’s highly anticipated Second Edition of African Energy Week (AEW), taking place on 18-21 October 2022, the easing of the country’s lockdown restrictions offer a welcome respite for South Africa’s energy sector, with the conference and its organizers remaining fully committed to the continent, its people, and the development of improved energy investment and networking platforms.
In addition to AEW 2022, the easing of travel restrictions to and from South Africa will further facilitate opportunities for international companies and government delegations from the U.S., Europe, and Africa, to attend in-person events throughout the continent.
Offering an exceptional opportunity for industry leaders and experts, policymakers, and delegates to participate in international conferences, summits, and exhibitions, the MSGBC Oil, Gas & Power 2022 Conference and Exhibition, will return to Dakar, Senegal on 1-2 September for its Second Edition, under the auspices of H.E. President Macky Sall and the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. Additionally, the South Sudan Oil & Power 2022 Conference will celebrate its fifth anniversary as the official energy event and meeting place for the oil, gas, and power industries of South Sudan in Juba on 13-14 September, this year.
The Second Edition of the Angola Oil & Gas 2022 Conference and Exhibition will take place in Luanda on 29-30 November and 1 December 2022, offering a premier platform to address the most pressing matters in the country’s energy market.
With the easing of South Africa’s lockdown measures having taken effect on 23 March, President Ramaphosa’s decision to ease the onerous national lockdown restrictions is expected to further drive international investments towards the country’s various sectors and industries, with South Africa having lagged behind many other countries with regards to mandating costly testing for fully vaccinated travelers.
