Transport minister Fikile Mbalula has stated that South Africa’s minibus taxis (as well as Uber and Bolt) and Shoholoza Meyl will be banned from the road during the lockdown.
Trains will not be operating, long-distance has been shut down in terms of Shosholoza Meyl, Mbalula told 702.
“This affects everybody, that includes Uber, Bolt and e-hailing systems and taxis.”
On Monday, President Cyril Ramphosa announced a 21-day lockdown of the country effective from midnight on 26 March.
Also read: Coronavirus: How To Make Donations To SA’s COVID-19 Solidarity Fund
The South African Government has set up a Solidarity Fund, which South African businesses, organisations and individuals, and members of the international community, can contribute to Ameliorate the impact of the coronavirus.
“The Fund will focus efforts to combat the spread of the virus, help us to track the spread, care for those who are ill and support those whose lives are disrupted,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The Fund will complement what we are doing in the public sector.”
This Fund will be chaired by Ms Gloria Serobe and the deputy Chairperson is Mr Adrian Enthoven.
Also read: Coronavirus: Don’t be a Covid-19 Criminal
Following Ramaphosa’s speech on Sunday evening, 15th of March 2020, the state published new regulations related to Covid-19, in terms of the Disaster Management Act on 18 March 2020.
The rules about gatherings and premises selling liquor have been widely reported on.
However, the regulations also use criminal sanctions in an attempt to curb the spreading of incorrect information about Covid-19.
A person who publishes any statement, through any medium, including social media, with the intention to deceive any other person about Covid-19, the Covid-19 infection status of any person, or any measure taken by the government to address Covid-19, commits an offence and is liable to a fine, or imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months, or to both the fine and the imprisonment.
Also read: Coronavirus: Netcare Suspends, Restricts All Visiting Hours
Netcare, one of South Africa’s largest private hospital groups, announced on Wednesday that visiting hours at hospitals have been suspended, except in specific special circumstances, as a further precaution against the spread of COVID-19.
Today, the number of local coronavirus cases have increased to 709.
“In light of the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, we needed to take extraordinary measures to protect all healthcare teams and our patients who cannot be discharged,” says Dr Richard Friedland, Netcare chief executive officer.
