Covid-19 wrap: Tourist 'refuses' to go into self-quarantine after testing positive in KZN

25 March 2020 - 11:00

By TimesLIVE

KZN cops investigating attempted murder charges against tourist over Covid-19 spread

A tourist - believed to be a foreign national - could soon face attempted murder charges after he allegedly refused to go into self-quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19.

National Saps spokesperson Brig Vish Naidoo confirmed on Wednesday night that the tourist - who has not been identified - was being investigated under the regulations imposed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in announcing a state of disaster.

His is one of two cases being investigated in the province, after police also confirmed that a businessman from Ladysmith was arrested.

No 'skop, skiet en donder' from SANDF during lockdown - unless they have to

There will be no "skop, skiet en donder" of civilians by members of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) during the national lockdown - unless it's necessary to do so.

That's the word from defence and military veterans minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who was outlining the role of members of the SANDF during the national lockdown due to start at midnight on Thursday.

Mapisa-Nqakula was moving to assure the public that they would not be abused by soldiers, who are due to be deployed to work with members of the SA Police Service to enforce compliance with the national lockdown.

SA to process 36,000 Covid-19 tests a day by end of April

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is stepping up its efforts to fight the spread of the coronavirus by increasing the number of laboratories performing Covid-19 tests from next month from six to nine.

CEO Dr Kamy Chetty said the organisation has adequate testing capacity and equipment to meet the demand.

“The NHLS is pursuing various sources of supplies to obtain polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test kits and has a commitment from suppliers that South Africa will be a priority,” said Chetty.

Taxis to operate for 8 hours a day during lockdown: Mbalula

You will only be able to use public transport for eight hours a day to get essential items such as food and medicine once the national lockdown kicks in.

Speaking on Wednesday at a justice and crime prevention security cluster press briefing, transport minister Fikile Mbalula said public transport would only be available 5am and 9am, and 4pm and 8pm.

E-hailing services such as Uber, Bolt and metered taxis would also be allowed to operate, under the same arrangements made for minibus taxis.

Italy deaths rise by 683 in a day

The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has grown by 683 to 7,503, the Civil Protection Agency said on Wednesday, a decline in the daily tally of fatalities following a spike the day before.

On Tuesday 743 people died. That followed 602 deaths on Monday, 650 on Sunday and a record of 793 on Saturday -- the highest daily figure since the contagion came to light on Feb. 21.

The total number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 74,386 from a previous 69,176, the Civil Protection Agency said.

-AFP AND REUTERS

The police will pounce on you if found at any these 'closed' places

If you do not want to be on the wrong side of minister Bheki Cele's men and women during the 21-day Covid-19 lockdown, stay at home.

This was the advice of the minister as he announced a long list of places where no human being will be allowed during the lockdown.

Even if you are the owner of any of the places ordered to close, you will also be dealt with. This will include restaurants, which are prohibited from opening their doors.

'There shall be no dogs that will be walked': Bheki Cele

Can you walk your dog during lockdown? No! The government's message on this has shifted.

On Wednesday morning, health minister Zweli Mkhize said on SABC that South Africans would be able to walk their dogs and go for "short jogs" during the lockdown. But police minister Bheki Cele contradicted this message on Wednesday evening during a briefing by the security cluster, saying there will be no dog walking "except in the house".

Zim doctors, nurses go on strike over health concerns

Health professionals in Zimbabwe’s public hospitals have announced the withdrawal of their services in the fight against Covid-19 because their concerns have not received the “urgency they deserve”.

In a letter addressed to the Health Services Board, the Zimbabwe Nurses Association on Monday demanded that they should be given a “coronavirus risk allowance” and protective clothing, and that water should be made available at all health institutions.

But by the end of day of Wednesday, Zina said none of their demands had been met.

Mantashe expects Eskom to keep the lights on for 21-day lockdown

Mineral resources and energy minister Gwede Mantashe says Eskom is expected to keep the lights on during the nationwide lockdown even though some of its suppliers might scale down production.

Mantashe said the industry also stood ready to help the government with additional beds and quarantine sites should the need arise.

Mantashe said Eskom would be under less strain during the lockdown due to lower demand for electricity.

Mbalula hints at lockdown looming for taxis, buses and trains

Transport minister Fikile Mbalula provided some insight on Wednesday into how the looming lockdown would affect public transport in the country.

He said it was envisaged that minibus taxis would be allowed to operate for a limited time during morning and afternoon peak hours to ferry people authorised to move around, such as essential-services personnel.

“A lockdown is a lockdown ... There will be special catering for public transport, we will deal with the details later on in terms of taxis. We’re looking at allocating time for the operation of taxis in the morning peak and in the afternoon. During the day it will be lockdown,” he said in an interview with Radio 702.

“Trains, we’re looking at not operating at all. Long distance has been shut down in terms of Shosholoza Meyl ... We are looking at intensifying in the aviation sector that airlines from affected countries should not come to South Africa.”

Stellenbosch council offers payment holiday to hardest-hit ratepayers

Ratepayers in Stellenbosch who can prove that their income has been hit by the coronavirus crisis will get a three-month rates holiday, councillors decided at an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

“Once the crisis is over, the municipality will work with applicants to repay the principal outstanding debt on reasonable terms and without the accrual of any new interest,” said MP Leon Schreiber, the DA constituency head for Stellenbosch.

'We have been flooded with calls': government on food delivery services during lockdown

The department of tourism has reiterated its stance on the operation of food delivery services saying on Wednesday that they would not be allowed to operate during the 21-day nationwide lockdown.

Several food delivery services have informed customers they will still offer a service during the shutdown there appeared to be confusion over whether some would be exempt or not.

“We have been flooded with calls seeking clarity on this and have maintained that all food delivery services will not be permitted to operate and will need to close down as they have not been included on the list of what has been deemed essential services,” the department's spokesperson Hlengiwe Nhlabathi said on Wednesday.

You should still be able to walk the dog and jog during lockdown, says Zweli Mkhize

Health minister Zweli Mkhize offered a ray of hope to SA’s dog owners and runners on Wednesday morning, saying these activities would be permitted during the three-week national lockdown, which begins at midnight on Thursday.

The lockdown announced by Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night is intended to limit contact between people as much as possible and is focused on ending the mingling of large groups of people, said Mkhize.

However, people would still be able to go for a jog, or walk their dog, he said.

Nhlanhla Nkosi poses for a picture with his fashionable mask, on March 25 2020, at Nkosibo Laundromat and Dry Cleaners in Melville, Johannesburg. The idea to make fashionable masks came when owner Suzan Mazibuko couldn’t find the surgical masks in shops, most being sold out. She got to work and started production using brightly coloured fabrics, cartoon characters and Ndebele patterns which she sells for R30. They are not surgical quality but can be used to accessorise the hospital grade mask. Her small business will be closed over the 21-day lockdown.

Image: Alaister Russell/The Sunday Times Nhlanhla Nkosi poses for a picture with his fashionable mask, on March 25 2020, at Nkosibo Laundromat and Dry Cleaners in Melville, Johannesburg. The idea to make fashionable masks came when owner Suzan Mazibuko couldn’t find the surgical masks in shops, most being sold out. She got to work and started production using brightly coloured fabrics, cartoon characters and Ndebele patterns which she sells for R30. They are not surgical quality but can be used to accessorise the hospital grade mask. Her small business will be closed over the 21-day lockdown.

Covid-19 wrap: Tourist 'refuses' to go into self-quarantine after testing positive in KZN

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