Primary, secondary and special schools can now return to daily attendance and Covid-19 positive people with no symptoms no longer have to isolate.

These were the changes made by Cabinet during the adjusted Alert Level 1 of the national lockdown, with immediate effect.

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele said South Africa had exited the Covid-19 fourth wave.

“Based on the trajectory of the Covid-19 pandemic and the levels of vaccination in the country, Cabinet has decided to make the following changes to adjusted Alert Level with immediate effect,” he said.

South Africa recorded 1 366 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 on Monday. To date, 16 477 074 adults are fully vaccinated. Among children aged 12 and older, 1 232 552 vaccine doses have been administered.

Last week Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen filed court papers in the Gauteng High Court to compel government to immediately open schools fully.

In line with the new regulations, learners no longer have to adhere to one metre social distancing in school.

Meanwhile, people who test positive for Covid-19 can now isolate for seven days, instead of the previously required 10 days. Contacts do not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms.

The Presidency explained that the amendments are based on the increasing levels of immunity to Covid-19, which according to several sero-surveys, is exceeding 60% to 80%.

Government is urging eligible unvaccinated South Africans to get the jab and to continue observing basic health protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus.