South Africa has lifted the curfew on people’s movement with immediate effect, expecting that they have surpassed the fourth Covid-19 wave caused by the Omicron variant, a government statement said. “All signals say that we may have passed the fourth wave at a national level,” a statement from the special cabinet meeting said.

Data from the Department of Health showed a 29.7 per cent decrease in new cases witnessed in the week ending compared to the cases found in the previous week, the statement said. Other than lifting the restrictions on public movement, the government said public gatherings would be restricted to 1,000 people indoors and not over 2,000 people outdoors.

It also noted that alcohol shops with licenses could be open beyond 11 p.m. as traders and businesses are hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and trying to recover in the festive season. “While the Omicron variant is highly transferable, there has been lower rates of hospitalisation than previous corona waves,” the cabinet said. They also noted that wearing masks in public places is still necessary.