South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday 27 April

For all the latest news in South Africa, be sure to check out an overview of all major headlines on Monday 27 April.

As South Africa celebrates a “virtual” Freedom Day under lockdown, we enter our last week marked by Level 5 restrictions on our personal freedom. From 1 May, government will implement a risk-adjusted strategy aimed at easing lockdown restrictions to Level 4 to gradually grease the wheels of the country’s battered economy said to have lost between R14 billion and R20 billion a day since the start of the lockdown on 27 March.

This will see 1.5 million South Africans return to work in what will be a masks-on affair, accompanied by a night-time curfew.

Today’s latest news in South Africa, Monday 27 April

Dlamini-Zuma gives the lowdown on Level 4 lockdown

Members of the National Command Council (NCC) convened on Saturday to finalise details of the level approach announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his address to the nation on Thursday evening.

“We must avoid a rushed re-opening that could risk a spread, which would need to be followed by another hard lockdown, as has happened in other countries.”

President Cyril Ramaphosa

This was echoed by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who warned South Africans that if the phased re-opening of the economy is not linear, the Level 5 lockdown could return.

While outlining what the move to Level 4 would entail, Dlamini-Zuma said on Saturday that wearing cloth masks when out in public would become compulsory from Friday 1 May.

“It is going to be mandatory to use a cloth mask as you step out of your home. We know that these masks may not be easily available. If you don’t have a mask, use a scarf, use a T-shirt,” Dlamini-Zuma said.

Government has also introduced a curfew to restrict the movement of individuals between 20:00 and 05:00.

South Africans will be allowed to buy items that they have not been able to for the past month, including cellphones and computers, clothes and cigarettes, as well as order hot food for delivery.

House visits, gatherings and movement between provinces remain criminal offences.

The easing of the restrictions are, however, mainly aimed at assisting businesses.

Industry and Commerce Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Saturday that among the changes, agriculture will be allowed to resume completely; restaurants can open but only for home delivery while mines can restart some activities.

Get the complete list of industries allowed to operate from 1 May here.

Government calls for public comment ahead of Level 4 restrictions

Sectors and business organisations, as well as trade unions and members of the public, are being asked to submit comments and feedback on the schedule of services to be phased in as per the COVID-19 risk-adjusted strategy to be implemented with effect from May 1.

Click here to download the draft framework for consultation on the COVID-19 risk-adjusted strategy.

Completed submissions must be returned via e-mail to lockdowncomments@cogta.gov.za by 12:00 on Monday 27 April.

Reopening of educational institutions

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga and Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande are expected to announce details around the reopening of educational institutions during a virtual briefing at 14:00 today.

A leaked national COVID-19 curriculum recovery plan document by Motshekga’s department stated last week that pupils in grades 12 and 7 could be the first to return to school on May 6, while grades 11 and 6 were scheduled to return on May 20, with all the remaining grades expected to return in June and July.

Survey shows lockdown’s effect on South Africans

On Sunday, Nzimande shared findings of a survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).

The survey, was conducted in two waves. The first, conducted from 27 to 31 March looked primarily at awareness levels and knowledge about the virus. The second, conducted form 9 to 16 April, looked primarily at the impact of the lockdown on South Africa.

One of the key findings of the survey was that between 45% and 63% of people reported that the lockdown would make it difficult to pay bills, debts, earn income, feed their families and keep their jobs. Additionally, 26% of people reported that they had no money for food.

See more findings of the HSRC survey here.

Cuban ‘medical brigade’ to arrive in South Africa

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Sunday reported that the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa had risen to 4 546 with the death toll at 87.

A 217-strong delegation of a Cuban “medical brigade”, which includes family physicians, epidemiologists, biologists, healthcare technology experts, engineering experts, biotechnology experts and other specialists, was scheduled to land in South Africa in the early hours of Monday morning, according to Mkhize.

This is in response to the government’s request for assistance and medical personnel from Cuba to support South Africa in its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Before departure from Cuba, the medical brigade had been placed in quarantine to ensure they minimised any form of exposure prior to coming to South Africa.

“As South Africa, we have taken an additional step which is in line with our lockdown regulations. On arrival, this team will be put in precautionary quarantine as they await their test results. We will also use this period to fully induct them into the South African situational analysis and the various provinces they will be deployed to,” Mkhize said on Sunday evening.

Latest weather forecast, Monday 27 April

Take a look at weather forecasts for all nine provinces here.

Live traffic updates for Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban

Stay one step ahead of the traffic by viewing our live traffic updates here.

Horoscope today

Free daily horoscope, celeb gossip and lucky numbers for Monday 27 April.