South Africa

Government has unveiled employment related plans expected to soften the blow of the COVID-19 countrywide lock-down, on workers and firms.

Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza says her department has set aside a package of R1.2 billion to address the effects of the Coronavirus and to ensure sustainable food production during and after the pandemic.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has called on congregants who attended The Divine Restoration Church Ministries church conference in the Free State earlier this month to present themselves to the provincial Health Department in a bid to trace the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

Brand South Africa's acting Chief Executive Thulisile Manzini has called on South African citizens throughout the world to play their part in curbing the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

South Africa is bracing for its first government-imposed lockdown as part of stringent measures to slow down the spread of Coronavirus.

The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has announced that as of Tuesday, South Africa has 554 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

While no load shedding is expected today, Eskom says the possibility that it might be implemented still remains as the power generation system is constrained and vulnerable.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the establishment of a fund that will aid in the combat of the Coronavirus.

At the stroke of midnight on Thursday, South Africa will go on a nationwide lock-down with the exception of essential services.

South Africa will enter a nationwide lock-down for 21-days with effect from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa said.