South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Friday 3 April
If you’re looking for all the latest news in South Africa, you’ve come to the right place; here are the major headlines on Friday 3 April.
The revision of lockdown regulations, affecting public transport and inter-provincial movement, has been met with mixed reactions. In an attempt to curb the coronavirus’ spread, the health department has begun to roll-out its ‘COVID Home Visits Programme’ during the window of opportunity presented by the national lockdown.
Today’s latest news in South Africa, Friday 3 April
Further amendments to lockdown regulations
Following in the wake of Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s decision to ‘relax’ capacity protocols concerning the taxi industry, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, added to the ever-evolving regulatory gazette on Thursday afternoon.
Dlamini-Zuma’s amendments deal with three main areas of concern:
- The rights of movement afforded to mourners within the context of a burial
- The prohibition of inter-provincial travel (with exceptions for essential workers, freight and funeral services)
- The rights of repatriation flights ordered to evacuate foreign nationals from within South Africa’s borders (to be overseen by the Department of Home Affairs)
- The creation of a COVID-19 tracing database and associated reports
Dlamini-Zuma attached, together with the gazetted amendments, an example of a permit required ‘to travel to another metropolitan area, district or province’, adding that law enforcement agencies conducting roadblocks and vehicle checkpoints had been instructed to verify documentation while conducting operations.
Number of coronavirus cases rise to 1 462
The number of positive coronavirus cases in South Africa has risen to 1 462 — an increase of 82 from Wednesday 1 April. Fortunately, Mkhize noted that the death toll had not risen since Wednesday.
‘COVID Home Visits Program’ focuses on 993 strategic priority wards
Government’s newest initiative to combat the coronavirus’ spread is aimed at early detection by way of the ‘COVID Home Visits Programme’. In conjunction with the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the health department has embarked on a vigorous door-to-door testing campaign.
The operation, which will initially focus on ‘993 strategic priority wards’, will make use of 10 000 field workers and more than 60 mobile COVID-19 testing facilities.
Health minister Zweli Mkhize added that the program would also use technological advancements to trace primary points of contact in an attempt to mitigate secondary-infections.
German tourists to be repatriated from South Africa
Kerstin Bittiger, spokeswoman of the German Embassy in South Africa, has confirmed that repatriation efforts would begin today, following a plea from citizens ‘trapped’ in the country. According to Bittiger, over 5 000 German tourists are currently stuck under lockdown in South Africa.
The closing of borders and almost all air traffic has made the prospect of traditional fare back to Germany almost impossible, leading the German government to step in with a repatriation program. Bittiger noted that the flights would be operated by South African Airways (SAA), adding:
“For the coming days and weeks, we have an enormous logistical challenge ahead of us in order to get our compatriots home.
We are grateful for the cooperation with the South African government. And we are glad to join forces with SAA as a reliable partner. We hope our compatriots will be back with their friends and families in Germany very soon.”
Bittiger did, however, note that any tourists displaying symptoms associated with the deadly coronavirus would not be repatriated back to Germany. Those left behind would need to follow the South African government’s instructions regarding lockdown, quarantine and treatment.
Zwelinzima Vavi in good spirits despite COVID-19 diagnosis
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, has tested positive for COVID-19. During a live interview, Vavi revealed his positive status, adding that he had no idea how he’d contracted the virus. Vavi announced:
“I am fine in good spirits at home and have started to follow instructions of self-isolating! Have to get everyone tested at home! Family, friends & comrades in obvious panic but I am fine and I will win again! Just overwhelmed by media interests which is natural but I can’t cope.”
Vavi said that he underwent the COVID-19 test after developing flu-like symptoms.
Labour inspectors crack-down on uncooperative businesses
A Department of Employment and Labour blitz inspection in Standerton, Mpumalanga, has led to the closure of Pax Agricultural Primary Co-operation Limited.
The employer was found to be non-compliant with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act standards and also not adhering to COVID-19 regulations.
The blitz inspections were triggered by a number of anonymous complaints, which were reported to the department.
The inspection found that the employer failed to conduct a risk assessment in order to implement precautionary measures to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Among other findings, employees were not trained on the precautionary measures to be taken in order to protect themselves against any harm to their well-being, particularly on the risks caused by exposure to hazardous biological agents like COVID-19.
Employees were also not given sanitisers, water and soap for basic personal hygiene, and were not furnished with personal protective equipment, as per the OHS standards. (Source: SAnews)
Fish River Canoe Marathon organisers expect paddling festival to go ahead
With the current uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus outbreak worldwide, organisers of the 39th edition of the Fish River Canoe Marathon are confident that they will be able to put on another exciting instalment of the race from 25-26 September.
This year the world has been thrown into limbo as this virus spreads through every country around the world and South Africa is currently in the grips of a nationwide lockdown to try and curb the spread locally.
All sporting events and gatherings have been cancelled or postponed for the next few months, but with five months until the Cradock classic, organisers are hopeful that we will be back to some sort of normality by then.
Latest weather forecast, Friday 3 April
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