Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has expressed concerns about the climbing number of COVID-19 cases in the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape provinces. Outlining the pandemic health response and South Africa’s readiness to deal with a possible resurgence on Sunday, Mkhize said his department is now watching the two provinces closely. “This is to indicate now that we have started seeing a little increasing activity in the Eastern Cape and a little bit in the Western Cape,” he added. … [Read more...] about Mkhize to visit East Cape as concenrs over number of COVID-19 cases rise
COVID-19
SA’s New COVID-19 Epicentre
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has been highlighted as the new COVID-19 epicentre in the country. This comes after the Department of Health reported that there were 5574 active cases in the City as at Tuesday, 10 November 2020. Following the COVID-19 Metro Command Council meeting on Wednesday, 11 November 20202, Acting Mayor Councillor Thsonono Buyeye said the City had become an epicentre due to the alarming infection rate after positive cases jumped from hundreds of infections about … [Read more...] about SA’s New COVID-19 Epicentre
Eastern Cape Premier, Mabuyane, tests positive for COVID-19
Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane is currently isolating at home after contracting the Coronavirus. According to his office, Mabuyane took the test after showing flu-like symptoms. “When his results came back positive, Premier Mabuyane started informing his family members, staff in his office, and some of the people he had met with recently about his test results,” the statement read today. The Premier is encouraging everyone who has had contact with him in the past seven … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Premier, Mabuyane, tests positive for COVID-19
International travel restrictions relaxed
President Cyril Ramaphosa is determined to see every part of the economy return to full operation as government works towards recovery from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing the nation on the country’s COVID-19 status on Wednesday, President Ramaphosa announced the amendment of alert level 1 regulations to restore the normal trading hours for the sale of alcohol at retail outlets. “We are also opening up international travel to all countries subject to the necessary … [Read more...] about International travel restrictions relaxed
Ramaphosa’s Resurgence Plan
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed concern at the lax behaviour of the South African public amid the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to grip the country and the world at large. Addressing the nation on the country’s COVID-19 status, the President announced the extension of the National State of Disaster to 15 December 2020, as well as a Resurgence Plan with interventions to curb the further spread of infections. Speaking during Wednesday’s televised address, President Ramaphosa told … [Read more...] about Ramaphosa’s Resurgence Plan
Life-saving COVID-19 vaccine to be manufactured in SA
President Cyril Ramaphosa says a local company, Aspen Pharmacare, has entered into a preliminary agreement with the multinational firm Johnson & Johnson, as one of the companies to manufacture and package its candidate COVID-19 vaccine. “In recognition of the country’s manufacturing capability, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in the world, Johnson & Johnson, has entered into a preliminary agreement with a local company, Aspen Pharmacare, to manufacture and package its candidate … [Read more...] about Life-saving COVID-19 vaccine to be manufactured in SA
Could the Eastern Cape be the first?
The first to experience a region specific Lockdown? Looking at the chart below one can see that the only outlier in the number of new cases of COVID-19 this month belongs to the Eastern Cape which appears to be experiencing a sharp rise in cases in the period 7 to 26 October 2020. Maybe we need to dial back on our contact visits for a while, people? The indicators are not good - reports of increasing cases in Nelson Mandela Bay, 10111 Center closed, Ramaphosa in isolation.... … [Read more...] about Could the Eastern Cape be the first?
State of disaster and lockdown must end now
Dear MyPE The DA calls on Ramaphosa’s cabinet to resist the urge to once again extend the state of disaster, which is otherwise due to end on Thursday 15 October. South Africa’s prolonged lockdown must end immediately and completely. Indeed, both should have ended five months ago. SA’ epidemiological models massively exaggerated the size of the covid risk. The World Health Organisation has now echoed what the DA has been saying for months: that lockdowns are net harmful and unjustifiable. … [Read more...] about State of disaster and lockdown must end now
While millions suffered under brutal lockdown, nearly 60% of government employees went on paid leave
Dear MyPE At precisely the moment that South Africans needed a capable state more desperately than ever to deliver everything from TERS unemployment payments to SASSA grants and emergency procurement of protective equipment, the ANC government decided to send nearly 60% of all public servants on paid leave. This shocking fact was revealed in response to a parliamentary question posed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to the Minister of Public Service and Administration, Senzo Mchunu. According … [Read more...] about While millions suffered under brutal lockdown, nearly 60% of government employees went on paid leave
SA re-opens its borders to international traveller amid restrictions
Guided by the World Health Organisation’s regulations, South Africa will gradually re-open some its international borders from 1 October 2020 after a six-month closure to manage COVID-19 infection rates. Business and some leisure travel will take precedence as the country welcomes international travellers in a staggered approach. “Travellers intending to visit the country will be expected to produce a PCR [polymerase chain reaction] test that is not older than 72 hours from the time of … [Read more...] about SA re-opens its borders to international traveller amid restrictions
SA opens borders to African travellers
South Africa will reopen its international borders for travellers from the African continent from 1 October 2020. The decision to open up the country’s borders to Africa is in a bid to facilitate the free movement of people, goods and services from South Africa, SADC and the rest of the continent. “Travellers from all African countries are allowed and must possess relevant travel documents, and will also be screened for COVID-19 symptoms. To allow ease of travel from the African countries, … [Read more...] about SA opens borders to African travellers
SA Will NOT Allow Entry to Travellers from these Countries
Lockdown travel: Government releases list of Sixty (60) high-risk countries With hours to go before the reopening of some borders following the easing of lockdown restrictions, South Africa has released a list of countries from which leisure travellers will not be allowed into the country. Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, revealed the list of countries at a briefing on Wednesday on the reopening of borders and ports of entry for international travellers following South Africa’s … [Read more...] about SA Will NOT Allow Entry to Travellers from these Countries
Cele warns lockdown lawbreakers
Police Minister Bheki Cele has issued a stern warning to those who will flout the rules, as the country further relaxes restrictions under lockdown level 1. “We are aware that as the days get warmer and the restrictions are more relaxed, law enforcement will have to work harder to ensure they bring an end to any behaviour that threatens the containment of Coronavirus,” Cele told the media on Tuesday. The Minister was shedding light on the overall picture of the policing landscape following … [Read more...] about Cele warns lockdown lawbreakers
Lockdown Level 1 Guidelines
South Africa has withstood the Coronavirus storm and will move to lockdown alert level 1 from midnight on Sunday, 20 September 2020. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during a live address to the nation on Wednesday evening. “We have withstood the Coronavirus storm. Now is the time to return our country, its people and our economy to a situation that is more normal, that more resembles the lives that we were living six months ago. It is time to move to what will become our … [Read more...] about Lockdown Level 1 Guidelines
International travel makes a return under alert level 1
South Africa will reopen its international borders on 1 October 2020, under alert level 1 of lockdown. President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement during a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening. While the country will move to alert level 1 of lockdown from midnight on Sunday 20 September 2020, international borders will only open up in October. “We will be allowing travel into and out of South Africa for business, leisure and other travel with effect from 1 October … [Read more...] about International travel makes a return under alert level 1
