South Africa

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has noted the German government’s plans to evacuate the 1 243 German nationals on board AIDAmira cruise ship in Cape Town.

Statistician General Risenga Maluleke has suspended all fieldwork activities of the Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) with immediate effect until 31 March.

For the first time since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, China has reported no domestic cases.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the country is likely to increase to just under 200 by Friday.

As the power generation system remains constrained and vulnerable, the possibility of load shedding still remains, says Eskom.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the department is seeing the recovery of people who had tested positive for COVID-19.

The National Treasury has issued an instruction note to government departments, municipalities and entities to help speed up the procurement of the goods and/or commodities required to reduce and control the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

The Gauteng Health Department has - with immediate effect - imposed restrictions on visiting hours at healthcare facilities across the province.

The Eskom board has ordered an independent investigation into allegations of corruption against its chief operating officer (COO) Jan Oberholzer.

Government has imposed regulations that will limit unjustified price hikes and product stockpiling, to protect consumers, as the number of COVID-19 pandemic cases rise to 150.

In line with market expectation, the Reserve Bank has cut the repo rate by 100 basis points to 5.25% per annum, Governor Lesetja Kganyago announced on Thursday.

The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure has commended government for identifying government buildings as quarantine sites.

The number of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the country has jumped from 116 to 150 as of Thursday.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has advised social grant beneficiaries to avoid collecting their grants on the first day of payment as the country fights against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eskom does not expect to implement load shedding today, but the possibility remains.