South Africa

Government is ramping up efforts to make sure that every health worker has protective gear as soon as next week.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the Western Cape has already seen an increase of COVID-19 positive cases of people who have not traveled abroad - which has led to an upsurge in the number of admissions to hospitals.

Fishers in the Northern Cape and Western Cape have been allowed to travel within and across the province to catch snoek, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy announced on Friday.

Over 81 000 COVID-19-hit small, medium and macro enterprises (SMMEs) have already registered to be on the SMME SA database.

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has launched an investigation into allegations of some mining houses not adhering to the COVID-19 National State of Disaster regulations.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has announced that as of Friday there are now 1 505 positive cases of COVID-19, an increase of 43 new cases from Thursday.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Thembi Siweya, will next week visit Traditional Healers Association Chairperson, Ngaka Conrad Tsiane, at his home in Makhuduthamaga, Limpopo, to discuss measures to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19.)

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has confirmed that the Queen Mary 2 passenger vessel has departed the Port of Durban after refuelling and the disembarkation of six South African crew members.

The Department of Water and Sanitation in Gauteng has stepped up efforts to relieve water shortages in desperate Gauteng communities.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned that in the next few days the world will reach one million confirmed cases of COVID-19.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) turned down a sanitiser donation by Afriforum as it did not go through Treasury Regulations, said Police Minister Bheki Cele.

Eskom has restored power supply in Meadowlands, Orlando East and West, Nomzamo, Diepkloof and other parts of Soweto.

Patients who are facing life-threatening diseases are now allowed to enter South Africa or go abroad for medical treatment.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, as of Thursday, stands at 1 462.

Cargo ships and airfreight companies will be able to dock and land on South African shores to deliver essential services, Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel said on Thursday.