Why South Africa is no longer following Covid-19 contacts

South Africa has stopped contact-tracing of those who have come into close touch with  coronavirus-infected persons.

The country’s Ministry of Health also scrapped quarantine for people who have been in contact with those with confirmed Covid-19 cases.

This comes as South Africa is easing a number of coronavirus restrictions, despite the fourth wave of infections, with the heavily-mutated Omicron being the dominant variant.

A 60 to 80 percent immunity from infection has been declared.

“All contact tracing be stopped with immediate effect except in congregate settings and cluster outbreak situations or self-contained,” the Health Ministry said.

Further easing the Covid-19 curbs, the government says contacts will also not be required to get tested unless they develop symptoms  

South Africa has been recording high Covid-19 cases but there has been less hospitalisation and fewer deaths.

Also not required is quarantine for “contacts of confirmed cases” and the “quarantine is to be stopped with immediate effect. This applies to both vaccinated and unvaccinated contacts. No testing for Covid-19 is required irrespective of the risk exposure unless the contact becomes symptomatic.”

In the event a person has Covid-19 but is asymptomatic, “no isolation period is required,”

But they should do self-observation avoid attending settings where many people gathered.

Only those with mild and severe symptoms can go into isolation for eight and 10 days respectively.
In cases of mild or severe disease, there will be “no need for Covid-19 test [either PCR or antigen test] to be performed prior to returning to work isolation period.”

South Africa was the hardest-hit country in Africa and entered into strict lockdown three times.

The country’s economy is now battling to recover following the lockdowns.

After entering the fourth wave of infections, the government has been avoiding moving from lockdown level one as well as tightening restrictions.