South Africa

Schools will reopen on 1 June 2020 with Grade 7 and Grade 12 learners returning to the classroom, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said on Tuesday.

Seven South African Revenue Service (SARS) employees have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Free State government has identified 25 quarantine facilities to accommodate people who have had contact with COVID-19 patients.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to participate in today’s virtual meeting of the African Union (AU) Contact Group of the High-Level Committee on Libya.

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu, has declared 136 priority human settlements and housing development areas (PHSHDAs) across the country.

South Africa’s confirmed COVID-19 cases now stand at 16 433 with 475 071 tests having been conducted.

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has paid out over R14 billion in benefits to employees affected by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to brief media on Tuesday, on preparations for the re-opening of schools amid the COVID-19 lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of universal health coverage.

The Department of Employment and Labour has dismissed labour union allegations that its Kimberly office has not been observing occupational health and safety protocols.

The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has warned small, medium and macro enterprises (SMMEs) against fraudulent agencies purporting to be entities of the department.

South Africa recorded its highest new infections since the Coronavirus outbreak, with 1 160 fresh cases in the last 24-hour cycle.

In an effort to assist the economy to recover, the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) has called for the imminent Level 3 lockdown to be used as an opportunity to expand local production and greater consumption of South African-made goods.

More than 15 000 small-scale farmers have been approved for the COVID-19 Agricultural Disaster Fund, says Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza.

As government remains inundated by pending litigation challenging certain provisions of the Disaster Management Act, President Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that the priority of the lockdown regulations remains that of saving lives.