COVID-19 WRAP | Another day of few infections, as NICD reports 169 new Covid-19 cases in SA

November 02 2021 - 22:37

Another day of few infections, as NICD reports 169 new Covid-19 cases in SA

It was another day of few Covid-19 infections, with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases reporting on Tuesday that 169 new cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours.

This followed after 106 new infections were recorded on Monday.

According to the NICD's latest data, the new cases mean that there have been 2,922,391 confirmed cases across SA since the outbreak of the virus.

November 2 2021 - 11:47

SA hotel group says its staff are jabbed and ready for the festive season

The Capital Hotels and Apartments, which owns and operates several luxury establishments in SA, says it has achieved its vaccination targets across the group.

MD Marc Wachsberger said in his latest newsletter update that the hotel was ready for the peak season.

“I am proud to let you know that we’ve reached our vaccination targets across our entire group.

November 2 2021 - 09:29

China administered 2.279 bln doses of Covid-19 vaccines as of Nov 1

China administered about 5.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines on November 1, bringing the total number of doses administered to 2.279 billion, data from the National Health Commission showed on Tuesday.

-Reuters

November 2 2021 - 09:22

Approved for the R350 grant? Here’s when you can collect your payment in November

No payments of the R350 social relief of distress (SRD) grant will be made in the first week of November as it is reserved for the payment of old age, child and disability grants.

The SA Post Office (Sapo) announced that SRD grant beneficiaries can start making their way to post offices from November 8.

The payment dates apply at all Sapo offices, but not at Pick n Pay, Spar and Boxer outlets, which recently launched SRD payments.

November 2 2021 - 07:17

Stadium security officials detail the impact of Covid-19 on their livelihood: 'Some families broke up'

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact across the globe,  but there are signs that life is gradually returning to some semblance of normality.

In SA, scores of security guards, informal merchandisers and many other small businessmen and women who work at venues around the country selling food, regalia and beverages during Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches suffered a huge loss of income when the lockdown was implemented early last year.

November 2 2021 - 06:30

Covid deaths reach 5-million mark, despite vaccines slashing fatality rate

The next big test looms as the highly vaccinated populations of the northern hemisphere enter winter

November 2 2021 - 06:15

Japan eases Covid-19 border curbs, trails major partners

Japan on Tuesday confirmed plans to gradually ease Covid-19 border restrictions, but fell short of calls from business lobbies to open up the country in line with its major trading partners.

The government has decided to review border controls in stages, chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters, responding to media reports that quarantine for business travellers would be cut from 10 days to 3.

The easing may go into effect from next Monday, while daily border entrants would be raised from 3,500 people to 5,000 later this month, national broadcaster NHK said.

Domestic and foreign business groups in Japan have lobbied the government to ease border restrictions to be more on the same terms as other countries.

The United States and European Union allow entry to travellers from most countries as long as they have proof of Covid-19 vaccination.

While the shorter quarantine would be welcome, it would only benefit business travellers and Japanese nationals, said Michael Mroczek, president of the European Business Council in Japan. The bigger issue is the remaining hold on long-term visas.

"Not being able to bring essential personnel to Japan is currently the number one issue for European industry," he said.

Japan shortened its quarantine period for vaccinated people to 10 days from 14 last month when it lifted state of emergency measures over much of the country.

Covid-19 cases have fallen dramatically in Japan as the nation's vaccination rate has pushed past 70% of the population. New infections in Tokyo fell to 9 on Monday, down from more than 5,000 a day during a wave in August driven by the infectious Delta variant.

Vaccine checks and coronavirus testing before and after international trips should be enough to contain infections now that the pandemic has ebbed in Japan and elsewhere, said Haruka Sakamoto, a physician and researcher at Keio University.

"People who have received two doses of vaccine should not be quarantined," she said. "I strongly agree that strict border controls currently taking place in Japan are causing a significant negative impact on Japan's business and international students."

Elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region, Thailand and Australia on Monday eased international  border restrictions significantly for the first time in 18 months.

Reuters

November 2 2021 - 06:00

One-stop shop for crosses and jabs: South Africans vote then vax

A partnership between the IEC and the health department creates a captive audience for prospective vaxxers on election day