COVID-19

Handwashing with soap, critical in the fight against coronavirus, is ‘out of reach’ for billions – UNICEF In sub-Saharan Africa, 63 per cent of people in urban areas or 258 million people, lack access to handwashing Handwashing with soap, when done correctly, is critical in the fight against the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), but millions of people have no ready access to a place to wash their hands, UNICEF said today. In total, only 3 out of 5 people worldwide have basic handwashing … [Read more...] about 258 Million Africans lack access to handwashing

Testing the backbone of the COVID-19 response The World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling on governments to scale up testing of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in response to the outbreak. “We have not seen an urgent enough escalation in testing, isolation and contact tracing – which is the backbone of the response. Social distancing measures can help to reduce transmission and enable health systems to cope. “Handwashing and coughing into your elbow can reduce the risk for yourself and … [Read more...] about Governments Encouraged to Scale Up Coronavirus Testing

Department to increase water provision in rural areas The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, has directed the department to increase the provision of water and sanitation in high density public areas, informal settlements and rural areas in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. In response to the declaration of Coronavirus (COVID-19) as a national disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Sisulu has directed the department to ensure that rural areas and … [Read more...] about More Water to Wash Your Hands

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared the Coronavirus (COVID-19) a national disaster South Africa has imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and China as from 18 March 2020. South African citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or through the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and other identified high-risk countries such as China, Iran and South … [Read more...] about Coronavirus 101

3.37 Minute Interview with infectious disease expert Adam Kucharski As the threat of COVID-19 continues, infectious disease expert Adam Kucharski answers five key questions about the novel coronavirus, providing necessary perspective on its transmission, how governments have responded and what might need to change about our social behavior to end the pandemic. This video is excerpted from a 70-minute interview between Kucharski and head of TED Chris Anderson. … [Read more...] about 5 Key Coronavirus Questions Answered

Department of Social Development Closes Early Childhood Development Centres and Partial Care Facilities With reference to the Special Cabinet meeting held on 15 March 2020 and in response to the President of South Africa declaring a National State Disaster the department of Social Development has take a decision that all Early Childhood Development Centres and Partial Care Facilities must be closed from Wednesday 15 March 2020 to 15 April 2020. The department will monitor the containment of … [Read more...] about ECD’s and Partial Care Centres to Close

Know Your Bays, clean-ups and hacks cancelled With reference to the National State of Disaster on COVID-19 as declared by President Ramaphosa on Sunday 15 March 2020, all Know Your Bays, WESSA beach clean ups and alien hacks will be suspended until further notice. However, there are many actions that can still be taken, even in these difficult times. Importantly, the plans for the proposal for the Aquaculture Development Zone in Algoa Bay have been approved by the Department of Environment, … [Read more...] about Environment and Conservation Events Cancelled