South Africa now has 29 240 coronavirus cases after a spike of 1 837 infections were recorded in the last 24 hours.

There are 34 new deaths, bringing the total fatalities to 611.

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Have a look at some of our top stories:

British American Tobacco in new urgent court bid to undo cigarette ban

British American Tobacco South Africa will recommence with urgent legal proceedings to challenge the government’s decision to extend the ban on tobacco sales during Level 3 of the nationwide lockdown.

The state says the ban is needed to safeguard public health, as evidence suggests cigarette smokers are more likely to

develop severe Covid-19 symptoms than non-smokers.

Here are the rules and dates for grades going back to school

The Department of Education has released rules and guidelines as the country gears up to open schools from Monday, beginning with grades 7 and 12, but if you do not want your child to attend you must apply for an exemption and home schooling.

According to the guidelines gazetted on Friday, there will be strict screening for Covid-19 at schools, and parents and guardians should start thinking of a Plan B for transport if their child is found to have one of the symptoms during the screening.

Alcohol ban resulted in 18 000 job losses in wine industry – Vinpro

Although liquor sales are allowed from 1 June, the two-month ban on the sale of alcohol, combined with a ban on exports, has had a devastating impact on the wine industry.

According to figures released by Vinpro on Thursday, about 80 wineries and 350 producers have gone out of business, and 18 000 workers have lost their jobs, GroundUp reported.

To open or not? Some places of worship stick with praying at home

Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other recognised places of worship will be not be allowed to have more than 50 congregants, and services will only be permitted to run for two hours.

Trump says US is to cut ties with WHO

President Donald Trump said on Friday he was breaking off US ties with the World Health Organisation, which he says failed to do enough to combat the initial spread of the novel coronavirus.

Trump had already suspended funding to the UN agency, accusing it of being a “puppet” of China as the global health crisis erupted.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Thursday released the regulations governing lockdown Level 3, which gets under way on 1 June. 

She said the entire country will move to Level 3, regardless of whether it is a Covid-19 hotspot. She added, though, that additional restrictions may apply for districts with a high level of infections. 

Level 3 regulations permit the sale of liquor between Monday and Thursday, from 09:00 and 17:00, but tobacco sales remain prohibited. 

Dlamini-Zuma said, as the economy reopens, practising hygiene measures, such as handwashing and maintaining a safe social distance, will be “most important” to fight Covid-19 – in absence of a cure or vaccine. 

Here’s everything you will be allowed to do, and what you won’t, when Level 3 commences on 1 June. 

You will be allowed to buy liquor  

Trade and Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel said alcohol consumption will be allowed from Mondays to Thursdays between 09:00 and 17:00. Liquor deliveries through e-commerce will be allowed, but no on-site consumption of alcohol at outlets will be allowed. 

You must always wear a cloth mask 

Dlamini-Zuma said anyone who enters a work, public space or public transport must wear a cloth face mask or homemade item that covers the nose and mouth. Anyone who exercises outside also has to wear a cloth mask the entire time, she said. 

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READ HERE

Malema: You can’t ban cigarettes and sell alcohol

Malema pleads with worshippers: ‘Do not go to church, you will die’

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You may NOT have social gatherings, or visit friends or family 

Dlamini-Zuma said all gatherings remain prohibited, unless they are a church gathering, or an agricultural auction. 

People will still be encouraged to stay at home, and will not be allowed to visit friends or family. 

You may NOT travel across provincial boundaries, unless you have permission

Dlamini-Zuma said experiences in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Limpopo showed that interprovincial travel contributed to community transmissions, which is why it remains prohibited.  

She said movement will be limited across provinces, metropolitan areas, districts and hotspots, except for people travelling to start work, moving to new residences, or to care for an immediate family member. People travelling will, however, require relevant permits.

She said pupils, students or teachers, who have to return to school, will be allowed to travel between provinces. 

Dlamini-Zuma said movement between districts and localities will be permitted in areas that are not Covid-19 hotspots, This, however, will only be to travel to work, or to buy or obtain available goods, services and medical attention. 

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COVID-19 VOICES

Mbhazima Shilowa: Opening places of worship extremely bizarre

Hlengiwe Mkhize: Covid-19 has sharply brought to the fore inequalities in society

Gary Louw: Why the national Day of Prayer needs to be cancelled

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You may travel for funerals 

Dlamini-Zuma said interprovincial travel for funerals will be allowed as long as they are close family members. 

She said those permitted to travel for funerals are legal spouses or partners of the deceased; children or grandchildren of the deceased, whether biological, adopted or stepchildren; children-in-law of the deceased; parents of the deceased, whether biological, adopted or step-parents; siblings, whether biological, adopted or step-brothers or sisters of the deceased; and/or grandparents of the deceased.

Dlamini-Zuma said station commanders of all police stations are charged with the duty to keep meticulous records with regard to funerals and the number of attendees.

Domestic workers may return to work 

Dlamini-Zuma said domestic workers will be allowed to return to work under Level 3. 

You will be allowed to exercise for longer hours 

Dlamini-Zuma said people will be allowed to exercise between 06:00 and 18:00 as long as it is not done in organised groups. People will have to adhere to health protocols and social distancing measures during this time. 

She said public training, fitness and recreation facilities remain closed, except those conducting non-contact sports matches, without spectators. 

READ | Churches, mosques and temples: Cops ready to deal with law breakers in Gauteng

Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said further clarity around whether beaches will be reopened, or surfing permitted, will be addressed by the Arts and Culture Minister at a later stage. 

Workplace gatherings will be allowed 

Workplace gatherings for work purposes will be permitted under strict conditions and the observance of health, hygiene and social distancing protocols, Dlamini-Zuma said. 

She said employers have to ensure the 1.5 metres distance is maintained among employees, and that a limit on the number of people in the workplace be applied. 

You may NOT go to bars, cinemas or restaurants 

Dlamini-Zuma said restaurants, shebeens, taverns, night clubs, bars, cinemas, theatres, fêtes, bazaars; casinos and similar places remain closed. 

You may go to hotels under strict conditions 

Dlamini-Zuma said hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities, resorts and guest houses remain closed, except those accommodating confined tourists, people lodging for work purposes, and persons in quarantine or isolation.

You may go to places of worship, such as churches and mosques 

Dlamini-Zuma said religious counselling has been declared an essential service, and religious gatherings, such as church services, will be permitted as long as there are fewer than 50 people attending. 

She said places of worship will have to maintain a 1.5 metre social distance between congregants, masks have to be worn at all times, and hands have to be washed. 

READ | 29 test positive for Covid-19 at a frail care centre in Port Elizabeth

She said places of worship must screen all participants attending, and must be regularly sanitised. 

Dlamini-Zuma encouraged those above 60 not to attend worship services as they are at high-risk. 

You may fly under strict conditions, and international travel remains limited 

Dlamini-Zuma said limited domestic air travel will be permitted to allow employees to travel. She said a date for the reopening of domestic air travel will be made by the Minister of Transport. 

Dlamini-Zuma said the country’s international ports remain closed, unless for the transportation of fuel cargo and goods, and for humanitarian operations, repatriations, evacuations, medical emergencies, and movements for diplomatic and international organisations. 

You will be allowed to collect your food and go to a drive-through 

Patel said the sale of hot food will again be permitted, but this will be for pick-up only. It means that people will also be allowed to collect food at fast food outlets, and that drive-throughs will reopen. 

You may NOT be evicted 

Dlamini-Zuma said because the country “cannot afford” any more of the vulnerable on the streets, evictions of tenants remain prohibited. 

She did, however, add that, because rental income is also an important livelihood stream for some, a competent court may grant an eviction order, provided it is just and equitable.

You may NOT buy cigarettes 

Dlamini-Zuma said the sale of tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related products remain prohibited, except when it is destined for the export market.

You will likely be allowed to return to work 

Patel said most sectors of the economy will reopen under Level 3, with a limited number of industries remaining closed as they pose a risk to the spread of Covid-19. 

ALSO READ | Hairdressers, beauty services and tattoo parlours to remain shut under Level 3

You may buy almost anything 

Patel said all retail sales will reopen, including for household appliances and clothing sales, unless indicated – such as tobacco sales.

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ICYMI: WRAP  

These are some of today’s headlines you may have missed.

Covid-19: Worcester Pick n Pay temporarily closes after employee tests positive

One of the three Pick n Pay stores in Worcester in the Western Cape was closed at the weekend after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus.

According to Netwerk24, on Saturday customers were greeted by a sign stating that the shop in High Street had provisionally been closed.  

OPINION | Why releasing low-risk prisoners amid the Covid-19 pandemic is a good idea

Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola made the long-overdue announcement earlier this month that 19 000 low-risk inmates would be released from prison.

It is a bold and necessary step to save lives as Covid-19 threatens to wreak havoc in South Africa’s overcrowded prisons, GroundUp reported.  

Glenda Gray ‘grateful for support’ as SAMRC calls off investigation into her lockdown criticism

South African Medical Research Council president and member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) Professor Glenda Gray has expressed her gratitude after the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) on Tuesday cleared her for recent comments about government’s Covid-19 lockdown regulations.

“I wish to thank the Board of the SAMRC for having acted with the requisite urgency in its deliberations over this matter, the findings of which I have noted with appreciation. I would like to assure the Board and colleagues at the SAMRC that I remain focused on the important work of the SAMRC,” Gray said in a statement following the SAMRC’s announcement.  

Acting health DG Anban Pillay acted ‘unconstitutionally’ in Glenda Gray fight – top academics

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize should distance himself from the actions of his acting director-general Anban Pillay, who requested the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) to investigate its president Dr Glenda Gray, according to three top academics.

The article, published by the South African Medical Journal on Tuesday, called for level heads from the scientific community and government in an article titled “Freedom of speech and public interest, not allegiance, should underpin science advisement to government”.  

Social media posts that Wuhan ‘repatriation pilot’ died of Covid-19 untrue

Social media posts claiming that an SAA staffer who passed away on Sunday died of Covid-19 and was a pilot responsible for the repatriation of 112 South Africans from China in March are untrue.

News24 has spoken to various sources who have indicated that Nakedi Tebatso Ntshane, 39, did not die of coronavirus-related causes, nor was she a pilot during the repatriation of the South Africans back home on 14 March.  

Covid-19: Another school in Cape Town hit by positive case during prep week

Parkvale Primary School in Valhalla Park is the second school in Cape Town to have a positive Covid-19 case among educators, the Western Cape education department said on Tuesday.

The case was recorded in the first week of teachers’ return to school to prepare for the phased reopening this Monday for grades 7 and 12.  

Covid-19: Potch Hospital’s outpatient department closed after nurse tested positive

The outpatient department of the Potchefstroom Hospital has been closed and decontaminated after a positive case of Covid-19, the North West health department said on Monday.

A 59-year-old nurse at the hospital tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday. “The nurse is attached to the outpatient department of the hospital,” health department spokesperson Tebogo Lekgethwane said.  

Coronavirus: Dlamini-Zuma, Mkhize double down on cigarette ban

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma stuck to her guns on the medical reasons for the cigarette ban during the Covid-19 pandemic, and denied being friends with self-confessed cigarette smuggler Adriano Mazzotti.

Dlamini-Zuma and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize briefed the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mkhize said it was not even worth debating the matter, and it could never be said that tobacco was an essential service.  

Low-income families have increased their spending on food by more than 30% since March when the national Covid-19 lockdown began.

This according to a report published by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PEJDG) on Tuesday.

LIVE | All the latest coronavirus and lockdown updates

The group collected its food price data from five supermarkets and four butcheries that serve poor households in areas across Pietermaritzburg, GroundUp reported.

Julie Smith, a PEJDG researcher, told GroundUp they also spoke to shoppers about their spending habits at supermarkets in places like KwaMashu and Mtubatuba in KwaZulu-Natal, Khayelitsha in Cape Town, Soweto in Gauteng and Springbok in the Northern Cape.

The report found due to the national lockdown, low-income earners were buying food on debt to plug the earnings gap. There are three main reasons for the greater spending on food.

Feeding schemes

Smith said before the lockdown, children had meals from feeding schemes at school. Now they are at home.

“There are also extra people at home back from faraway places, for example, migrant mine workers. Informal traders would have gotten their meals on the street. Now, they are also sitting at home,” she added.

For these reasons, it means that in low-income homes, more people are eating extra food. Instead of food lasting three weeks, it lasts two weeks.

As a result, poor households are buying larger quantities of maize meal, rice, cooking oil, flour, potatoes and cabbages.

Households can no longer shop around for the lowest prices because of the social distancing measures now required in minibus taxis and supermarkets. Most people opt to shop at one supermarket and one butcher rather than three or four as they did before the lockdown.

The price of the group’s monthly food basket of low-income families increased by 8% (R250) to R3 470 between March and May 2020. The price of the food basket exceeds the national minimum wage of about R3 300.

Prices of key staple foods and vegetables also rocketed. Between March and May, the price of rice went up by 26%, sugar beans by 18% and brown bread by 14%. The price of onions went up by 58%, cabbage by 22% and carrots by 22%.

The picture is even bleaker when comparing the price of the group’s monthly food basket over a year. The basket increased by 14% between May 2019 and May 2020.

Since the start of the lockdown, many companies have suspended the wages of workers. But increases in social grants and Unemployment Insurance Fund payouts have failed to compensate for this spike in loss of income.

To plug the earnings gap, low-income earners are buying food with loans. This loan shark debt comes at exorbitant interest rates of up to 40% compared to the 30% before the lockdown.

“This means that not only are households having to spend more on food, but they have to borrow money to buy this food,” the PEJDG report said.

If loan sharks could not recover their debt “the gentle wisp of a knife-edge against the neck is not out of place either,” it added.

According to the report, loan sharks have taken South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) grant cards, with the PIN, as collateral, and then draw the money owed to them.

“Where Sassa grant cards are not available or not proffered up as collateral, loan sharks simply come and repossess your TV or oven, or fridge, or whatever they can take,” it said.

Those that cannot source debt to buy food are facing hunger and malnutrition.

“We have to accept that we now face a massive hunger crisis and that it is worse than what is visible on our streets. Our crisis is too big now. Too many of us are unemployed. Too many of us are hungry,” the report added.

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Tavern owners have expressed mixed emotions over the decision by the government to lift the ban on the sale of liquor.

Although they were excited with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision, tavern owners have begged the SA Breweries and other suppliers for assistance. The lockdown has had a major impact on their financial situation.

READ | Lockdown Level 3: Here’s what’s allowed

The sale of alcohol is expected to resume on June 1.

They have promised to comply with all regulations tabled by the government.

The tavern owners have complained about being neglected by the government – they say they have been excluded from the relief fund awarded to other small business owners.

They said they pleaded with their suppliers for loans because they didn’t have money to buy stock.

Hit hard

Moses Maseko, who owns a tavern in Lawley, south of Johannesburg, said the lockdown had hit him hard in the pocket, and he was unable to pay his four employees.

“I don’t have money to pay my workers. My employees are aware of the financial crisis faced by all taverns in the country. I only managed to pay them in March.

“They have not received their April and May salaries because I don’t have money to pay them. They know very well that I need to sell liquor to pay them.

READ | Ramaphosa calls on all citizens to play their part as SA heads to Level 3 lockdown

“I have lost a lot of money and there is no income at all. I am excited that we are going back to business, but the problem is where will I find money to restart my business. I plead with the SAB and other suppliers to assist us, as its clients, to restart our lives,” said Maseko.

No money

Zandile Madzena, who owns a tavern in Fine Town, also south of Johannesburg, said her business was her only source of income.

“I am surviving on selling alcohol. I am too old to go and look for employment,” said Madzena.

Madzena said she didn’t have money to buy stock because she had used all her profit to maintain her family during the lockdown.

“I don’t have money coming in, unlike before. Taverns don’t bring in a lot of money for us, as many people think. We are surviving from hand to mouth because the little we make goes back to our suppliers and we must also eat and maintain our families.

“Honestly, I am happy that I will be able to sell alcohol again. As tavern owners, we are willing to comply with all regulations and will sanitise our premises, screen our customers, and sanitise their hands when entering our places.

READ | Lockdown: SA churches put faith in President Cyril Ramaphosa for financial relief

“My worry is that I don’t think I will have as many customers as I had before lockdown because we are going to be compelled to sell ‘take-away’ only and no customers will be allowed to sit and drink. I plead with SAB to rescue us and maybe lend us some few beers to sell and repay them later because I don’t have money.

“I am well informed about coronavirus and know what to do to prevent the virus from spreading. I don’t think our customers will give us headaches because they know where we come from and don’t want alcohol to be prohibited again,” said Madzena.

A Lenasia South tavern owner, Tryphina Modisane, also echoed her plea to the SAB and other suppliers to come to their rescue.

“I am going to comply with the regulations. I am going to even write on my walls conditions that would be stipulated for us to operate under. I don’t want to lose my business certificate. I have survived many years selling alcohol and this is the only job I know.

“The lockdown has affected us a lot, especially me as a breadwinner. We were ignored by our government when it gave other small companies relief funds to survive. Even before the lockdown was introduced, we were already operating under regulated times,” said Modisane.