The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality would like to inform residents about the closure of the Korsten driving licence testing centre after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. The employee, a security guard, was last present at work on Thursday after falling ill and taking the COVID-19 test on the same day. As a safety precaution NBMB has closed down the Korsten centre as all 39 staff members are now in quarantine. We regret to inform the residents that traffic services … [Read more...] about NMBM traffic and licensing services shutdown due to COVID-19
Government
Port Elizabeth International Airport to open
More airports to open While international passenger flights remain prohibited, with the exception of those authorised by the Transport Minister, seven more airports are set to resume operations on 1 July 2020. At an aviation industry briefing on Monday, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said in addition to the airports (OR Tambo, Lanseria, Cape Town International and King Shaka International) that are currently operational, the following would open on 1 July: Bram Fischer International … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth International Airport to open
Speaking Against Live Sheep Exports Does Not Appear to Work
DALRRD confirms SA government policy stance: No Ban on Live Export https://youtu.be/YWDgdVn28Uo Footage from September 2019 of the Al Shuwaikh livestock vessel, destined for Kuwait and docked in the East London Harbour. It was awaiting the loading of 60,000 sheep onto it. The sheep spent three weeks at sea in squalid conditions, and many did not make it out alive. Correspondence and reports from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), the Department of … [Read more...] about Speaking Against Live Sheep Exports Does Not Appear to Work
Katekani Ngobeni places lives first
It no secret that healthcare workers are at the forefront of the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic but how do we ensure their safety? It has been widely reported that the country has been facing a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the last few months. This equipment is crucial for healthcare workers to protect themselves from contracting COVID-19 while attending to patients. Many sectors of society, including business, responded to the shortage by donating PPE equipment … [Read more...] about Katekani Ngobeni places lives first
Cinemas, theatres set to reopen
Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa is expected to issue directions on the reopening of cinemas and theatres, subject to a limit of 50 persons or less and strict adherence to all health protocols and social distancing measures. The Minister’s directions will also allow for the reopening of museums, galleries, libraries and archives, subject to strict adherence to health protocols. “The above mentioned places must apply to the Minister within 14 days after the publication of the … [Read more...] about Cinemas, theatres set to reopen
Combined Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle COVID-19 infections more than Motherwell’s
While Motherwell has been leading as a hotspot for COVID-19 confirmed cases in the City, latest statistics in NMBM show that Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle are fast catching up and together have recorded more confirmed cases than Motherwell. As at 22 June Motherwell had 547 confirmed cases while Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle recorded 306 and 266 confirmed cases respectively. Combined the two areas recorded 572 cases. COVID-19 Disaster Management Forum chairperson Shane Brown said: "We have a newly … [Read more...] about Combined Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle COVID-19 infections more than Motherwell’s
Safety first as more grades reopen on 6 July
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has once again put a spotlight on safety in schools as the other grades prepare to go back to class on 6 July. Schools have been closed since the lockdown was instituted in March to curb the spread of Coronavirus. Schools partially reopened on 8 June for grades 7 and 12. However, DBE has since issued a set of directions, signed by Minister Angie Motshekga, to provide clarity and guidance on a variety of matters affecting the sector. The guidelines … [Read more...] about Safety first as more grades reopen on 6 July
Government spends R17m on quarantine sites
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille says government has so far spent R17 million to procure quarantine sites. Responding to a question when Ministers in the Economic Cluster fielded oral questions in the National Assembly, De Lille said there was a need to find a bigger balance between finding private and public sites for quarantine purposes. “The private sites that we are currently using and have procured are the rate that National Treasury has negotiated with the … [Read more...] about Government spends R17m on quarantine sites
Rev. Dr Elizabeth Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni Field Hospital to boost COVID-19 fight
Dr Zweli Mkhize, Minister of Health Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, on Tuesday opened the Rev. Dr Elizabeth Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni Field Hospital in the Eastern Cape to bolster the province’s COVID-19 response. The field hospital – borne out a partnership between Volkswagen, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the German development agency and local government – will boast 3 300 dedicated COVID-19 beds once it is fully constructed. It is currently in … [Read more...] about Rev. Dr Elizabeth Mamisa Chabula-Nxiweni Field Hospital to boost COVID-19 fight
SASSA clarifies rejected R350 grant applications
The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) says it has been receiving many grievances about the declined R350 grant applications, which did not meet the approval requirements. However, according to the agency, the majority of rejected applications are from people already on the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) database or qualifying to receive it. They are now advising claimants to contact the Department of Employment and Labour to either apply for UIF or follow up with their … [Read more...] about SASSA clarifies rejected R350 grant applications
Education assistance for TRC apartheid victims
Application for financial assistance to study for the victims of apartheid, their qualifying relatives and dependents are now open. However, according to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, qualifying victims must have been declared as such by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). “The regulations relating to assistance of victims, in respect of basic education and higher education and training, came into operation on 7 November 2014, providing for … [Read more...] about Education assistance for TRC apartheid victims
President’s first time answering questions in Parliament since declaration of the national state of disaster
President to respond to questions on virtual platform President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday respond to questions for oral reply in the National Assembly. “To comply with social distancing measures, the sitting will be conducted in a hybrid form, with a small number of members present in the National Assembly and the rest on a virtual platform,” the Presidency said. The President will update Parliament on the national effort to contain the Coronavirus outbreak, including public … [Read more...] about President’s first time answering questions in Parliament since declaration of the national state of disaster
More Industries Opened
President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa announced this evening that the following industries will be opened: Restaurants for sit down Licensed Accommodation but not AIR BNB Conferences and meetings for business Cinemas and Theatres Casinos Personal Services such as Hairdressers etc Non Contact Sports Contact Sports Training Only All subject to Lockdown regulations and social distancing. These businesses need to adhere to strict safety requirements, which need … [Read more...] about More Industries Opened
COVID-19 drug breakthrough
As the number of COVID-19 cases increase to 76 334, the Health Department says it is pleased about the results of the affordable life-saving drug used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients. The Recovery Trial, based at Oxford University, published results on the therapeutic merits of low dose dexamethasone, which are extremely promising, the Health Department said. According to Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, the drugs are also “easily implementable” in South … [Read more...] about COVID-19 drug breakthrough
Eastern Cape 3rd on COVID-19 List with 7 868
COVID-19 cases jump to 58 568, as the country ramps up testing There are over 58 000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, with more than 1 million tests having been conducted as of Thursday. Meanwhile, the death toll from the outbreak rose to 1 284, as the country recorded 74 new fatalities over the last 24 hours. Out of the recent deaths reported, 39 are from the Western Cape, 31 from the Eastern Cape and four from the North West. “As of today, the cumulative number … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape 3rd on COVID-19 List with 7 868
