South Africa

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today receive -- on behalf of government -- a R1 billion consignment of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) donated by global internet group Naspers South Africa.

The handover will take place at the Takealot Distribution Centre in Kempton Park, Gauteng.

The Naspers donation is a significant contribution to healthcare and to the partnership between government, the private sector and civil society at large in the fight against COVID-19.

The African Union (AU) has raised $25 million for the COVID-19 Response Fund and an additional $36.5 million to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

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.