Amid dropping COVID cases, South Africa loosens restrictions

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME
Associated Press

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — With declining cases of COVID-19, South Africa’s president has announced that it is no longer mandatory to wear masks outdoors and vaccinated travelers entering the country are no longer required to produce negative PCR tests. The relaxed restrictions will also allow sports stadiums and music venues to fill up to 50% of their capacity with people who are vaccinated or who present valid negative PCR tests. South Africa has been hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic in Africa recording nearly 100,000 deaths and more than 3.7 million infections since the outbreak started in 2020. In recent weeks it has seen a significant drop in COVID-related deaths and severe illness.