South Africa

Government has expressed disappointment at rating agency S&P’s decision to downgrade South Africa’s sovereign rating amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

While some will now breathe a sigh of relief that their lives will slowly return to normalcy, the road ahead is still steeped with sacrifices and curfews that need to be obeyed.

Government has called on industries that are set to return to work in May to ensure that proper measures are in place to receive the returning workers, while working to limit the spread of COVID-19.

All agricultural sectors will be allowed to operate - however, under strict conditions - under Level 4 of the nationwide lockdown aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa is 5 350, with 103 deaths reported.

The Department of Social Development is working tirelessly to ensure that no person goes to bed hungry, announcing that food parcels are being distributed to thousands of families in dire need of assistance across the country.

Government has outlined the process for the application of the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant for individuals who are currently unemployed.

The Employment and Labour Department has expressed satisfaction at the Unemployment Insurance Fund’s disbursement of R5 billion in relief to workers affected by the COVID-19 outbreak lockdown.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will, as Chair of the African Union (AU), convene a virtual meeting with the Chairpersons of the AU Regional Economic Communities (RECs) on Wednesday to discuss the Coronavirus pandemic.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has assured the nation that the Cuban doctors are not in the country to take anyone’s jobs, but to augment the country’s human resources.

South Africa’s prudent decision to institute a countrywide lockdown has circumvented an exponential explosion of cases of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic within the borders of the country, the Department of Health said on Tuesday.

National Treasury on Tuesday announced the replacement of measures relating to COVID-19 emergency procurement.

Government has dispersed R3.3 billion in Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) claim benefits submitted by 1.75 million workers - as relief for the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The elderly and persons with disabilities, who receive their monthly social grants from the South African Post Office (SAPO), will from May receive their monies from the fourth day of the month.

South Africa has 4 793 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 90 deaths as of Monday.