Author: Gugu Lourie

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 6, 783. Case Data Per province As of 30 April 2020, 7 216 777 citizens have been screened and from that Community Screening Programme 72 087 were referred for testing. “We thank all these compatriots for their solidarity with the programme and allowing our health care workers into the privacy of their homes,” said Dr Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Health. “Regrettably, we report a further 8 COVID-19 related deaths: 2 from the Western Cape, 4 from Eastern Cape and 2 from Gauteng,” said Mkhize. “This brings…

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) may not be able to deliver the six-month coronavirus grant known as COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant, NGOs and academics warned. Under the grant, jobless South Africans will each receive R350 monthly for six months. Last week, Lindiwe Zulu, Minister of Social Development, announced that the grant will be paid from the 15th of May. The unemployed are expected to apply for the COVID-19 Grant by sending a WhatsApp message to 0600 123 456 and selecting Sassa or an email to [email protected]. The department and Sassa are also finalising additional access channels…

The South African government has vowed not to back down on its decision to ban the sale of cigarettes. “We are not going to change our approach,” Minister for the Presidency Jackson Mthembu, told the Sunday Times. “There is no possibility of a midway agreement that accommodates them and us. We believe that it is the right thing to do. I don’t see any of us agreeing on the measures the other party has taken.” Mthembu added that the government will make its case in court. “We believe we have very good reasons.” As part of South Africa’s lockdown regulations…

The South African National Treasury presented bleak scenarios on the impact of COVID-19 on Thursday, in a briefing in which it outlined the government’s approach to rebooting the economy and detailed its R500 billion stimulus package. As many as 7-million South Africans could join the ranks of the jobless if large swathes of the economy remain shut until the end of the year, according to a report in the Sunday Times. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that was extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, last week President Cyril Ramaphosa…

All road-based public transport services will from 1 May 2020 be permitted to operate from 5am until 7pm, with a grace period of one hour in the afternoon to complete their trips and drop off passengers. This includes minibus-taxis, buses, metered taxis, e-hailing services, charter and shuttle services. This as the country on Friday began its first day of Alert Level 4 of the Risk-Adjusted Strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Announcing the directions that affect transport operations at a media briefing in Pretoria on Friday, following the publishing of the new regulations this week, Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula emphasised…

As of today, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 5647, an increase of 297 cases from yesterday. The total number of tests conducted to date is 207 530 of which 10 403 were done in the last 24 hours. The provincial breakdown is as follows:

While campus-based learning has been put on hold as the country prepares to move to Level 4 of the national COVID-19 lockdown, interventions have been put in place for the post-school education and training (PSET) sector. Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, on Thursday, said the government has decided not to resume with campus-based academic activity throughout the PSET sector. “Guided by the work and decisions of the National Command Council (NCC), we have decided not to resume with campus-based academic activity throughout the PSET sector, including all universities and TVET [ Technical and Vocational Education and…

South Africa’s food delivery service, Mr D Food announced today that the service will open to restaurant food deliveries from Friday 1 May. On 29 April 2020, the relaxation of regulations relating to restaurants during the national lockdown was announced. Mr D Food said in a statement on Thursday that it was ready to deliver from restaurants across the country. This means customers can stay home, stay safe and still support much-loved local hot spots. Ensuring driver and customer safety is Mr D Food’s foremost priority. Contactless delivery has now been implemented, with drivers instructed not to make physical contact…

Three-quarters of South African consumers (75%) say they are now using contactless payments, citing safety and cleanliness as key drivers during the COVID-19 lockdown, new research reveals. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, the country imposed a 21-day lockdown that has since been extended by two weeks to the end of April. However, on Thursday President Cyril Ramaphosa announced five-level plan to ease lockdown. Perceptions of safety and convenience have spurred a preference for contactless cards and reminded consumers of the convenience of tapping, according to consumer polling by Mastercard. It further states that nearly half (47%) of South African respondents have…

Suspended communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams says a video shared on social media of her dancing next to a new car is “old, malicious and mischievous.” The video, in which Ndabeni-Abrahams is seen singing and dancing next to a brand new black BMW, has angered Twitter users. This photo & that video should be looked at together … The long suffering selfless loyalty of our #ANC members, compared to displays of conspicuous consumption & arrogance of some of our leaders is shameful. The time for self-correction, & ending this nonsense is long overdue! pic.twitter.com/83K5hj1XK4— Carl Niehaus (@niehaus_carl) April…