News24.com | WRAP | Tobacco saga rages on, travel ‘grace period’ ends, govt allows a period for moving house
2020-05-07 22:00
Stay up to date with the latest news, views and analysis as the number of coronavirus cases in SA increases.
RESOURCES
CORONAVIRUS FAQs | All your questions answered (Updated for level 4 restrictions)
SPECIAL HUB | Bored? Hungry? Fed up with the kids? We have got you covered during the lockdown
Last Updated at
Share
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said today that the Western Cape – which is the epicentre – is suffering a “cluster outbreak”, where portions of the province has high levels of positive cases. The province has just under half of all positive cases in the country.
Here are the top stories of the day
The tobacco saga continues to rage on, with the Presidency today telling News24 that minutes to a government meeting which ended in a decision to keep the selling of tobacco outlawed during lockdown is classified. The government indicated that it will oppose court challenges which look to allow for the sale of tobacco.
By the time you read this, the “grace period” for travelling between provinces has likely passed. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula ended the grace period at midnight on Thursday. The government had allowed a once-off journey for people who needed to cross provinces to return to work.
As of tonight, South Africans can move house again, as long as the country does not go back up to Alert Level 5. This is according to new regulations which say people and their household effects may move around South Africa on a once-off basis – even across provincial lines. But there are terms and conditions – including that any move must happen by 7 June.
#Covid_19 Statistics in South Africa as at 07 May 2020 pic.twitter.com/ERefqer2ZR
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) May 7, 2020
And a virtual National Assembly meeting held this morning was interrupted by pornographic images and a man’s voice insulting Speaker Thandi Modise.
International news at a glance
African think tanks and economists have warned that countries need to find the correct balance between saving lives and preserving economies. This comes as citizens in some African countries grow impatient under the economic strain of lockdown.
Thousands of migrants have been left stranded by the coronavirus pandemic, unable to move due to lockdowns and border closures around the globe, the United Nations says. Some are stuck in countries, while others are stranded on migratory routes.
DR Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso on Thursday said his country was requesting emergency aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of up to half a billion dollars.
Senegal’s Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a ban on repatriating the bodies of citizens living abroad who have died of coronavirus, rejecting a submission from their distraught relatives.
Japan on Thursday authorised the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat coronavirus patients, the government said, with an eye to approving another medication Avigan this month.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes between 83 000 to 190 000 people could die from Covid-19 in Africa, with as many as 44 million people likely to contract the virus.
Stay informed with News24
List | You can be fined R5 000 for breaking these regulations
Can I move house? | Yes – but only until 7 June
Get involved | Here’s how you can help those in need
The workplace | Here’s how the new office set up should be
Hungry? | Here’s the latest on fast food restaurants’ reopeningsr
Transport | Level 4 lockdown rules for cars and taxis
The numbers | Covid-19 in South Africa statistics
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
Pictured: A mural dedicated to medical staff by Belgian graffiti artist Bram De Ceurt in Antwerp, Belgium. (Getty Images)
telling News24 that minutes to a government meeting which ended in a decision to keep the selling of tobacco outlawed during lockdown is classified. The government indicated that it will oppose court challenges which look to allow for the sale of tobacco.
By the time you read this, the “grace period” for travelling between provinces has likely passed. Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula ended the grace period at midnight on Thursday. The government had allowed a once-off journey for people who needed to cross provinces to return to work.
As of tonight, South Africans can move house again, as long as the country does not go back up to Alert Level 5. This is according to new regulations which say people and their household effects may move around South Africa on a once-off basis – even across provincial lines. But there are terms and conditions – including that any move must happen by 7 June.
#Covid_19 Statistics in South Africa as at 07 May 2020 pic.twitter.com/ERefqer2ZR
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) May 7, 2020
And a virtual National Assembly meeting held this morning was interrupted by pornographic images and a man’s voice insulting Speaker Thandi Modise.
International news at a glance
African think tanks and economists have warned that countries need to find the correct balance between saving lives and preserving economies. This comes as citizens in some African countries grow impatient under the economic strain of lockdown.
Thousands of migrants have been left stranded by the coronavirus pandemic, unable to move due to lockdowns and border closures around the globe, the United Nations says. Some are stuck in countries, while others are stranded on migratory routes.
DR Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso on Thursday said his country was requesting emergency aid from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of up to half a billion dollars.
Senegal’s Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a ban on repatriating the bodies of citizens living abroad who have died of coronavirus, rejecting a submission from their distraught relatives.
Japan on Thursday authorised the antiviral drug remdesivir to treat coronavirus patients, the government said, with an eye to approving another medication Avigan this month.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes between 83 000 to 190 000 people could die from Covid-19 in Africa, with as many as 44 million people likely to contract the virus.
Stay informed with News24
List | You can be fined R5 000 for breaking these regulations
Can I move house? | Yes – but only until 7 June
Get involved | Here’s how you can help those in need
The workplace | Here’s how the new office set up should be
Hungry? | Here’s the latest on fast food restaurants’ reopeningsr
Transport | Level 4 lockdown rules for cars and taxis
The numbers | Covid-19 in South Africa statistics
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
Pictured: A mural dedicated to medical staff by Belgian graffiti artist Bram De Ceurt in Antwerp, Belgium. (Getty Images)
“>
Share
The death toll for Covid-19 has risen to 161, while the number of cases has jumped to 8 232 – an increase of 424, Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize has said.
Eight new deaths have been recorded – six in the Western Cape and two in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Minister was speaking at the Ithuba offices in Sandton, where he had accepted a donation of protective gear for medical staff.
Police Minister Bheki Cele joined Mkhize at the ceremony.
The Minister said the Western Cape – which is the epicentre – is suffering a “cluster outbreak”, where portions of the province has high levels of positive cases. The province has just under half of all positive cases in the country.
Mkhize said the government will visit the province to try to “reign in” the spread.
Mkhize reiterated the importance of people wearing protective masks.
Share
The World Health Organisation (WHO) believes between 83 000 to 190 000 people could die from Covid-19 in Africa, with as many as 44 million people likely to contract the virus.
These estimates are based on the risk of transmission specific to each African country.
The model predicts the observed slower rate of transmission, lower age of people with severe disease and lower mortality rates compared to what is seen in the most affected countries in the rest of the world.
This is largely driven by social and environmental factors slowing the transmission, and a younger population that has benefitted from the control of communicable diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis to reduce possible vulnerabilities.
The lower rate of transmission, however, suggests a more prolonged outbreak over a few years, according to the study which also revealed that smaller African countries alongside Algeria, South Africa and Cameroon were at a high risk if containment measures are not prioritized.
The predicted number of cases that would require hospitalization would overwhelm the available medical capacity in much of Africa. There would be an estimated 3.6 million–5.5 million Covid-19 hospitalizations, of which 82 000–167 000 would be severe cases requiring oxygen, and 52 000–107 000 would be critical cases requiring breathing support. Such a huge number of patients in hospitals would severely strain the health capacities of countries.
Share
The tobacco saga continues to rage on, with the Presidency today telling News24 that minutes to a government meeting which ended in a decision to keep the selling of tobacco outlawed during lockdown is classified. The government indicated that it will oppose court challenges which look to allow for the sale of tobacco.
The Department of Basic Education has warned schools looking to open early, saying that would not be permitted. The department said it was aware of some independent, private and public schools that were already preparing to reopen much earlier than required.
Meanwhile, the inter-province “grace period” for travelling ends at midnight tonight, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said. The government allowed a once-off journey for people who needed to cross provinces to return to work.
Be warned: you could face a fine of up to R5 000 for breaking a host of lockdown rules, including executing an eviction order, joining illegal gatherings in public places, and intentionally exposing another person to Covid-19. We have prepared a full list.
And a virtual National Assembly meeting held this morning was interrupted by pornographic images and a man’s voice insulting Speaker Thandi Modise.
telling News24 that minutes to a government meeting which ended in a decision to keep the selling of tobacco outlawed during lockdown is classified. The government indicated that it will oppose court challenges which look to allow for the sale of tobacco.
The Department of Basic Education has warned schools looking to open early, saying that would not be permitted. The department said it was aware of some independent, private and public schools that were already preparing to reopen much earlier than required.
Meanwhile, the inter-province “grace period” for travelling ends at midnight tonight, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said. The government allowed a once-off journey for people who needed to cross provinces to return to work.
Be warned: you could face a fine of up to R5 000 for breaking a host of lockdown rules, including executing an eviction order, joining illegal gatherings in public places, and intentionally exposing another person to Covid-19. We have prepared a full list.
And a virtual National Assembly meeting held this morning was interrupted by pornographic images and a man’s voice insulting Speaker Thandi Modise.
“>
Share
Meanwhile, new claims for unemployment benefits filed by US workers declined slightly last week, but were still a staggering 3.2 million, government data says.
And Pakistan will begin easing its nationwide lockdown over the weekend, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday, citing the economic havoc the measures have wreaked. This is despite increased testing showing a rise in new coronavirus cases.
Pictured is a woman walking her dog near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, as France begins to ease its lockdowns. (Getty Images)
Share
Here are the top stories of the day
The government has gazetted new regulations regarding transport which stipulate that public transport can only operate between 05:00 and 19:00. Previously, public transport could run from 05:00 until 20:00, with a “grace period” until 21:00 to complete a journey.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has said that two health workers have died from Covid-19, while 26 have been hospitalised for the virus. A total of 511 health workers have contracted Covid-19. Addressing media in Gauteng today, Mkhize added that the country may battle with the virus for as long as two years.
A staff member at the Presidency has tested positive for Covid-19, and access to the union buildings has been limited. The Presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, David Mabuza, have been working remotely during the lockdown, suggesting they have not come into contact with the employee.
There has been yet more repatriation chaos, and this time more than 200 South Africans who were set to return from an airport in Doha, Qatar, were left stranded. The plane had begun heading to SA, but made a U-turn while still on the runway because of delays in securing the quarantine facilities for the expats to be housed in once they reach the country.
In another incident, 37 immigrants escaped from a repatriation centre in Gauteng. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi believed the escape was an inside job involving the centre’s security guards.
Pupils, teachers voice fears, concerns about proposed phased re-opening of schools | @Sesona_Ngqaks https://t.co/9SSiNzTyYX pic.twitter.com/zT4K2WcOi1
— News24 (@News24) May 6, 2020
South African Breweries – owner of Castle Lager, Hansa, and Black Label – may be forced to destroy more than 130 million litres of beer if it is not allowed to transport the brew to its depots. The transport of alcohol – apart from alcohol for export – is currently illegal under South Africa’s lockdown regulations. All consumption of alcohol is also prohibited.
International news at a glance
Relatives of Senegalese nationals who have died from Covid-19 abroad may turn to the country’s courts because its government is refusing to allow for the bodies to return for burials and religious ceremonies.
Swedish officials on Wednesday said the country, which has taken a softer approach to curbing the spread of the new coronavirus, was nearing 3 000 deaths from Covid-19. The country has not imposed the kind of extraordinary lockdowns seen elsewhere in Europe, instead opting for an approach based on the “principle of responsibility”.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday he could begin to ease a nationwide coronavirus lockdown next week, but warned he would do nothing that would risk a new surge of cases.
Germany is planning an almost complete return to normality in May, with schools and shops reopening and the return of top-flight Bundesliga football matches, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday.
And finally, France will discard 10 million litres of beer – four Olympic-sized swimming pools full – due to expire, which could not be consumed because people are in lockdown, a brewers’ association said.
Stay informed with News24
Talking point | Can a person contract Covid-19 more than once?
Fake news | No, Covid-19 traces haven’t been found on fruit
Get involved | Here’s how you can help those in need
The workplace | Here’s how the new office set up should be
Hungry? | Here’s the latest on fast food restaurants’ reopeningsr
Transport | Level 4 lockdown rules for cars and taxis
The numbers | Covid-19 in South Africa statistics
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
gazetted new regulations regarding transport which stipulate that public transport can only operate between 05:00 and 19:00. Previously, public transport could run from 05:00 until 20:00, with a “grace period” until 21:00 to complete a journey.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has said that two health workers have died from Covid-19, while 26 have been hospitalised for the virus. A total of 511 health workers have contracted Covid-19. Addressing media in Gauteng today, Mkhize added that the country may battle with the virus for as long as two years.
A staff member at the Presidency has tested positive for Covid-19, and access to the union buildings has been limited. The Presidency said President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, David Mabuza, have been working remotely during the lockdown, suggesting they have not come into contact with the employee.
There has been yet more repatriation chaos, and this time more than 200 South Africans who were set to return from an airport in Doha, Qatar, were left stranded. The plane had begun heading to SA, but made a U-turn while still on the runway because of delays in securing the quarantine facilities for the expats to be housed in once they reach the country.
In another incident, 37 immigrants escaped from a repatriation centre in Gauteng. Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi believed the escape was an inside job involving the centre’s security guards.
Pupils, teachers voice fears, concerns about proposed phased re-opening of schools | @Sesona_Ngqaks https://t.co/9SSiNzTyYX pic.twitter.com/zT4K2WcOi1
— News24 (@News24) May 6, 2020
South African Breweries – owner of Castle Lager, Hansa, and Black Label – may be forced to destroy more than 130 million litres of beer if it is not allowed to transport the brew to its depots. The transport of alcohol – apart from alcohol for export – is currently illegal under South Africa’s lockdown regulations. All consumption of alcohol is also prohibited.
International news at a glance
Relatives of Senegalese nationals who have died from Covid-19 abroad may turn to the country’s courts because its government is refusing to allow for the bodies to return for burials and religious ceremonies.
Swedish officials on Wednesday said the country, which has taken a softer approach to curbing the spread of the new coronavirus, was nearing 3 000 deaths from Covid-19. The country has not imposed the kind of extraordinary lockdowns seen elsewhere in Europe, instead opting for an approach based on the "principle of responsibility".
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Wednesday he could begin to ease a nationwide coronavirus lockdown next week, but warned he would do nothing that would risk a new surge of cases.
Germany is planning an almost complete return to normality in May, with schools and shops reopening and the return of top-flight Bundesliga football matches, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday.
And finally, France will discard 10 million litres of beer – four Olympic-sized swimming pools full – due to expire, which could not be consumed because people are in lockdown, a brewers’ association said.
Stay informed with News24
Talking point | Can a person contract Covid-19 more than once?
Fake news | No, Covid-19 traces haven’t been found on fruit
Get involved | Here’s how you can help those in need
The workplace | Here’s how the new office set up should be
Hungry? | Here’s the latest on fast food restaurants’ reopeningsr
Transport | Level 4 lockdown rules for cars and taxis
The numbers | Covid-19 in South Africa statistics
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
“>
Comments are closed.