MASKS NO LONGER MANDATORY AS ESWATINI MOVES TO LEVEL 0

MBABANE – The wearing of face masks is no longer mandatory in all settings as Eswatini has de-escalated the COVID-19 response by migrating from the current Adjusted Risk Level 1 to Adjusted Risk Level 0 with immediate effect.

These developments were announced by Prime Minister (PM) Cleopas Sipho Dlamini during a press conference held at the Cabinet Offices yesterday afternoon. During the press conference, the PM was in company of the Minister of Health, Lizzie Nkosi. Dlamini said this also meant a further relaxation of the existing COVID-19 regulations of 2020. The fine for not wearing a face mask was E100.  The country entered Adjusted Risk Level 1 on March 29, 2022, where the wearing of face masks was made to be no longer mandatory in groups of not more than five people.

Situation

Dlamini said in as much as the wearing of face masks was no longer mandatory in all settings; however, individuals were free to wear them based on their assessment of perceived risks of acquiring COVID-19 in any given situation. He said hand-washing and sanitisation was encouraged at all times in all public spaces as a good health and hygiene practice. Dlamini said a person exhibiting flu-like symptoms should take the responsibility to wear a face mask or, where possible, refrain from attending public gatherings. He said testing for COVID-19 remained available and encouraged all persons experiencing flu-like symptoms to get tested and if tested positive for COVID-19, a person should wear a face mask at all times if they need to go to public areas.

Dlamini added that visitors and returning residents would be required to be fully vaccinated. “For fully vaccinated persons entering the country, a negative PCR test result is not required. For those who are not fully vaccinated, a negative PCR test is required,” said Dlamini. The PM said as a warning, it was important to note that a new COVID-19 variant known as Omicron BA.2.75 had emerged in more than 10 countries in the world and was reported to be spreading quickly in Western and Asian countries at the moment. He said this meant that although the COVID-19 regulations had been relaxed, the nation was urged to continue to look out for one another and he encouraged people to remain responsible for their own health.
He further reminded the nation that vaccination was one of the key interventions taking the country towards living with COVID-19 as a manageable disease.

“I, therefore, urge everyone eligible to vaccinate for their own health. Our data has shown that vaccination prevents severe illness, hospitalisation and death among people infected with COVID-19,” said Dlamini. The PM added that vaccines were available in the country. “We look forward to a future where COVID-19 will no longer be a concern in the country and all over the world,” said the PM. As of Sunday evening, the country had recorded a total of 73 242 confirmed cases since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, while the total number of fatalities stood at 1 417.

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