SA 'worse off' if pandemic hits

EXPERT: COUNTRY HAS NO VACCINE LICENCE AND HEALTH FACILITIES IN DECLINE SINCE COVID ARRIVED

- Faizel Patel

South Africa will likely be in a worse position if another pandemic like the deadly Covid outbreak of 2020 hits the country, according to Prof Shabir Madhi. Yesterday marked five years since President Cyril Ramaphosa placed the nation under a strict lockdown to mitigate the spread of Covid.

The deadly virus brought more than illness – it sparked confusion, fear, panic and court battles to keep places of religious worship open.

Thousands of people lost their jobs and hundreds of businesses folded under the strain of the pandemic, the after-effects of which are still felt today.