South Africa

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has in the past month disbursed R11 billion in benefits to over two million employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Government has received menstrual and hygiene products donated as part of COVID-19 social relief measures.

The Department of Employment and Labour has closed its labour centre in Bellville, Cape Town, after an employee tested positive for COVID-19.

The Social Development Department is boosting its capacity to assist families and communities affected by COVID-19 with the recruitment of 1 809 social workers.

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) will today open the process for applications of the R350 Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant for unemployed people.

While government plans to steadily reduce the COVID-19 alert level by stabilising infection and anticipating the inevitable increase in cases, President Ramaphosa has warned the virus might be around for another year.

The Portfolio Committee on Health has welcomed the reopening of Netcare St Augustine’s and Netcare Kingsway private hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal.

South Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 10 015.

Correctional services centres across South Africa have 172 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with three deaths and 59 recoveries.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the placement on parole of selected categories of sentenced offenders as a measure to combat the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities, which are considered high-risk areas of infection.

The Department of Home Affairs has been directed to urgently procure personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline officials.

With 511 public servants in South Africa having tested positive for COVID-19, departments have been urged to implement health and safety measures that ensure the containment and management of the virus in the public service.

The Department Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development has announced the reopening of deeds offices across the country as per the revised lockdown regulations.

A pharmacy based in KwaZulu-Natal has admitted to excessive pricing of face masks in a consent agreement with the Competition Commission.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has disbursed almost R9.5-billion through the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS).