MBABANE: Mayibongwe Masangane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) says eSwatini is struggling to intensify its vaccination program and not ready to ban face masks.
This comes after South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that face masks were no longer compulsory for outdoors as that country has reached 60-80% herd immunity.
King Mswati’s government allegedly failed to procure COVID-19 vaccines despite announcing a budget of R200million and opted to rely on donation, the King subsequently purchased two more jets while health system struggles with working equipment.
Speaking to this Swaziland News, Mayibongwe Masangane, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Nurses Union (SWADNU) said eSwatini was not ready to ban face masks after Mswati’s Government refused to procure vaccines.
“Our herd immunity is below 40% when we actually need to be at least 60 % in order to be safe, this was caused by Government’s refusal to procure vaccines,”Secretary General.
Reached for comments, Simon Zwane, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health said the herd immunity in the country was around 29% but avoided further questions.
“It's at 29.2 of the total population", said the Principal Secretary.
When addressing the Nation on Tuesday evening, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said they have been advised by scientists that the country has reached 60-80 % herd immunity through vaccinations and previous infections adding that face masks were no longer compulsory for outdoors.
“As before, it is mandatory to wear a mask or similar covering for the nose and mouth when in public indoors spaces.However, a mask is not required when one is outdoors, this means we do not need to wear a mask when we are walking in the streets or in an open space,”said the South African President.
King Mswati