COVID-19 LIVE UPDATES | Mbalula deploys 22,347 traffic officers across SA

1 April 2020 - 2:23pm

More than 22,000 traffic officers deployed across SA

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula revealed on Wednesday that his department has deployed 22,347 traffic officers across the country to ensure compliance with government's 21-day lockdown.

April 1 2020 13:21

WHO disputes claims that Covid-19 is airborne 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has disputed claims that Covid-19 is airbone.

"There's news circulating that Covid-19 is airborne. But the WHO has disputed this entirely."

April 1 2020 11:36

First repatriation flight leaves SA for Brazil

A flight bound for Sao Paulo in Brazil departed OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) confirmed.

This was the first repatriation flight permitted in terms of revised regulations announced on Tuesday by transport minister Fikile Mbalula.

Acsa said 321 passengers boarded the LATAM flight. 

April 1 2020 12:21

New lockdown rules let taxis carry more passengers — with masks

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula has amended regulations governing public transport during the lockdown to extend taxi operating hours and allow them to carry up to 100% of their passenger capacity — provided passengers wear masks.

The changes, related to regulations issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act of  2002, were published in the Government Gazette on Tuesday.

Taxi associations, upset at the financial implications of running half-empty vehicles, threatened a shutdown earlier in the week. Essential services workers and the elderly, needing transport to collect social grants, were left stranded in parts of the country when taxis refused to operate.

April 1 2020 11:07

Sassa confirms 92% social grant beneficiaries paid

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has confirmed that 92% of social grant beneficiaries have been paid over a two-day period.

"More than 92% of beneficiaries paid in two days it never happened before. Let's keep our money in our cards we don't have to rush on the first day. Good thing is we [are] winning the social distancing war."

Payments of social grants to the elderly and persons with disabilities are being staggered through the week to curb overcrowding and long queues amid the Covid-19 lockdown.

April 1 2020 11:51

While St. Lucis residents are indoors, a hippo strolls through the empty streets

April 1 2020 - 10:09

Building in Durban's CBD under scrutiny after 'serious' Covid-19 complaint

Residents in a Durban building are being screened after “serious” allegations of suspected Covid-19 cases.

This is according to the department of economic development which, along with law enforcement agencies, shut down the building in the early hours of Wednesday after receiving a complaint.

“We received a serious complaint about people who alleged to have symptoms of coronavirus who live in a building in West Street (Dr Pixley Kaseme street)," said the department.

April 1 2020 - 9:24

Over 100 UCT students volunteer to man Tygerberg Hospital Covid-19 hotline

A little over 100 students from the University of Cape Town's faculty of health sciences have volunteered to man the Tygerberg Hospital Disaster Management covid-19 hotline.

Tygerberg Hospital is one of nine provincial centres identified for the isolation and treatment of patients infected with the coronavirus.

The response from students has been “overwhelming”, said president of the faculty’s UCT Surgical Society, Savannah Verhage, a fifth-year medical student with plans to become a paediatric surgeon who has been coordinating the volunteers from the various faculty student societies. They have been classified as emergency medical personnel and have permits that allow them to travel to and from the centre during the lockdown period. 

April 1 2020 - 7:14

Spaza shops to get financial relief for lockdown losses, but T&Cs apply

Small business development minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has unveiled a scheme to assist spaza shop owners during the lockdown.

Strict terms and conditions will apply, however.

The support to spaza shops will not discriminate on whether or they are owned by South Africans or foreign nationals. As long as they are properly registered, all shall receive assistance, said Ntshavheni,

Details about when applications will open will be announced on April 2, she added.

April 1 2020 - 6:51

Covid-19 claims life of stellar SA medical scientist Prof Gita Ramjee

Tributes have been pouring in from around the world for internationally acclaimed scientist, academic and women's rights campaigner Prof Gita Ramjee who died in a Durban hospital of Covid-19 complications on Tuesday.

A family member, who asked not to be named, confirmed Ramjee's death following complications arising from asthma and pneumonia and that she had been cremated. He said her husband, Praveen, a well known pharmacist was “lost” following her death.

At the time of her death, Ramjee worked at health care organisation Aurum Institute, which is regarded as a global authority on HIV and TB prevention and eradication.

April 1 2020 - 6:55

#StayAtHome campaign urges SA to use slogan on social media profile pictures 

Government has once again reminded South Africans to stay at home in order to contain the spread of the deadly Covid-19.

April 1 2020 - 7:08

Former ANC Western Cape chair Marius Fransman tests positive for Covid-19

Former Western Cape ANC chairperson Marius Fransman has tested positive for Covid-19.

Fransman made the announcement in a Facebook post on Tuesday evening.

“Since my return from abroad 2 weeks ago, I didn't feel too well and decided in line with health protocols and realising that this has become life's reality, to do a test last Monday.