Today our guest is Dr Nicky Nicholls of University of Pretoria’s Department of Economics.  

• A study led by researchers at the University of Pretoria has found that people who believe that others are complying with COVID-19 regulations are more likely to comply as well. 
• Together with a team of researchers in South Africa and France, Dr Nicky Nicholls and Dr Eleni Yitbarek studied beliefs and behavioural preferences as predictors of compliance with regulations aimed at reducing the transmission of COVID-19 in South Africa. 
• The researchers observed a positive link between people’s beliefs about the compliance of others and their own compliance. However, they found that a higher perceived risk of infection was not associated with greater compliance. 
• Tuesday night President Cyril Ramaphosa announced several changes to the current lockdown measures for South Africa as the country moves towards lifting the national state of disaster.
• These include  Both indoor and outdoor gatherings allowed to have up to 50% of capacity provided proof of vaccination or a Covid test of not older than 72 hours is shown.
• The maximum number of people permitted at a funeral is now up to 200, from 100 previously.
• It is mandatory to wear a mask when in a public indoor space but not required when people are outdoors.
• The new social distancing limit is 1 metre in all settings except in schools amongst others.