News24.com | LIVE | All the latest updates on the coronavirus and SA Level 4 lockdown

LIVE | All the latest updates on the coronavirus and SA Level 4 lockdown

2020-05-02 06:30

News24 team

Stay up to date with the latest news, views and analysis as the number of coronavirus cases in SA increases.

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Last Updated at 07:02
06:58
Coronavirus morning update: Level 4 lockdown just started but already a warning - reversing it is 'easy'

Police Minister Bheki Cele says some South Africans are not obeying lockdown regulations and warned Level 4 regulations could be reversed as Covid-19 has the potential of "wiping off humankind".
22:50
The Covid-19 death toll hit 116 today, as the number of cases rose to 5 951. The Health Department, however, also noted that 2 382 people have now recovered from the virus.

Here are the top stories of the day

Hundreds of people scrambled to shopping malls which were finally allowed to open because of the easing of lockdown regulations. The government is allowing the sale of beauty items and items for winter. Durban malls were also packed.

Three hours of freedom, they called it. People made full use of the 06:00 to 09:00 exercise time allowed by government during Level four of the lockdown. Our reporters chatted to people and captured the scenes of busy beach promenades and neighbourhood streets. We’ve also prepared a gallery of photos that capture the vibe of the morning.




Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has announced that buses, e-hailing services, delivery vehicles and taxis may operate between 05:00 and 19:00 - but the loading capacity is limited and all passengers must wear masks. Here is a list of all the changes made.

International tobacco giant, British American Tobacco, has written to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma asking her to amend lockdown regulations to allow the sale of cigarettes. If this is not done by Monday, the group’s attorneys will institute legal action.

Meanwhile, the Covid-19 outbreak, which has battered the global economy, has led to a sombre Workers’ Day. Columnist Terry Bell writes that this year we have seen no celebrations this year because of controls in place that prevent crowds, and widespread job losses.

Zimbabwe is facing serious damage to its economy which could shrink by 20% because of the outbreak. Its government has written to the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and other international institutions, saying the country faced record poverty levels.

Looking abroad, the traditionally raucous “May Day” demonstrations to celebrate Workers’ Day worldwide had to be replaced with balcony protests and online rallies because of Covid-19 lockdowns. But there were still arrests in the Philippines and Turkey for holding public pickets. 

Covid-19 has battered the Bollywood industry, which could take as long as two years to recover financially. Al Jazeera reports that the pandemic is threatening big-ticket projects and putting at risk tens of thousands of jobs. 

Stay informed with News24

Beware | A fine during the lockdown means a criminal record
Get involved | Here’s how you can help those in need
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FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
22:01
Covid-19 cases now at nearly 6 000, 13 more deaths

The Health Department has announced 13 more people have died from Covid-19, bringing the death toll to 116. 

People who died were from the Western Cape, Gauteng, KZN and the Eastern Cape. 

The Western Cape still has the highest number of cases, with 2 507, followed by Gauteng with 1 507, and KZN with 1 006. 
21:06
Cele warns misbehaving South Africans: Going back to Level 5 is easy

Police Minister Bheki Cele says some South Africans are not obeying lockdown regulations and warned Level 4 regulations could be reversed as Covid-19 has the potential of "wiping off humankind".

Cele was speaking during a joint law enforcement operation in which cars were stopped to check for compliance in Krugersdorp on Friday.

As the country entered its first day of a Level 4 lockdown, physical distancing was not observed in some areas.
20:37
More than 50 journalists die from coronavirus since March 1, says NGO

Dozens of journalists have died worldwide from the novel coronavirus in the past two months, a press freedom organisation said on Friday, lamenting that media workers often lack proper protection for covering the pandemic.

Ahead of World Press Freedom Day on Sunday, the Press Emblem Campaign (PEC) warned that many journalists were putting themselves in harm's way to report on the global crisis, with many falling ill from Covid-19 themselves in the process.
20:15
Soweto shoppers fear return of Level 5 as mall patrons disregard regulations

Some Soweto shoppers fear the country could return to a Level 5 lockdown if regulations are not adhered to.

They are worried about sharing trolleys that are not sanitised, lack of social distancing and some shoppers not wearing masks in shopping malls. 

Today, malls in Soweto were packed to the rafters with shoppers grabbing essential items such as food, winter clothes, heaters and other goods, while others paid their accounts.

WATCH: Malls packed as govt eases lockdown:
19:34
Zimbabwe extends its lockdown

Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday extended a Covid-19 lockdown for two weeks from Monday ahead of a gradual easing of restrictions.

The landlocked southern African country has reported 40 infections of coronavirus, including four deaths. The partial lockdown imposed on March 30 was due to end on May 3.

But "noticing that there is now a gradual infection increase, the lockdown will continue for the next 14 days," Mnangagwa told journalists at State House in the capital Harare.

However coronavirus restrictions will be relaxed to allow large corporations to operate - under strict conditions. "All people must wear masks of any type, including home-made ones, outside their homes," the president said.

Previously wearing masks in public places was not mandatory.

- AFP
19:17
Tobacco giant warns Dlamini-Zuma with court action

British American Tobacco South Africa has demanded that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma amend regulations prohibiting the sale of tobacco products by Monday.

If the regulations are not rescinded, they will head to court.

Dlamini-Zuma reneged on a decision to allow the sale of cigarettes after 2 000 out of the 70 000 submissions on the regulations which they received from the public, requested the continued ban on tobacco products sales.
18:31
Hundreds of people descend on Joburg malls as lockdown is eased

From Campus Sqaure in Auckland Park to Rosebank Mall, Sandton City and Alex Mall in Alexandra, hundreds of people were out - and not just for food, but for clothing too.

The condition that it was mandatory to wear masks gave rise to a business opportunity for locals who were seen selling cloth masks at Campus Square.
17:38
It's been a busy start to level 4 lockdown...

Here are some of our must-read stories from earlier:

You’d be forgiven for thinking Christmas has come, as hundreds of people scrambled to shopping malls which were finally allowed to open because of the easing of lockdown regulations. The government is allowing the sale of beauty items and items for winter. Durban malls were also packed.

"Three hours of freedom", they called it. People made full use of the 06:00 to 09:00 exercise time allowed by government during level four of the lockdown. Our reporters chatted to people and captured the scenes of busy beach promenades and neighbourhood streets. We’ve also prepared a gallery of photos that capture the vibe of the morning.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has announced that buses, e-hailing services, delivery vehicles and taxis may operate between 05:00 and 19:00 - but the loading capacity is limited and all passengers must wear masks. 

Pictured is a beach in Cape Town, which was packed with people during the designated exercise hours this morning. (Gallo)
16:55

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on Friday outlined the adjustments for transport in the country under Alert Level 4 of the lockdown, which comes into effect today.

"We have always been mindful that transport is not only an enabler of economic activity and access to social amenities, but also a potent instrument, capable of spreading the Covid-19 virus far and wide," he said.

Here are 8 takeouts from his briefing relating to public transport:

1. All road-based public transport services are permitted to operate from 05h00 until 19h00, with a grace period of 1 hour in the afternoon to complete their trips and drop off passengers. This includes minibus-taxis, buses, metered taxis, e-hailing services, charter and shuttle services.

2. No public transport is allowed on the road between 20h00 and 05h00.

3. No person is allowed to use of public transport who is not wearing a face mask.

4. Buses will be allowed to transport 70% passengers of their licensed loading capacity, with requisite social distancing, wearing of masks by all passenger and other mitigating measures.

5. Loading capacity for metered taxis and e-hailing services remains at 50%.  A 5-seater vehicle is permitted to carry a maximum of 2 passengers and a driver.

6. Loading capacity for minibus-taxis remains at 70% of licensed passengers, with social distancing and other mitigating measures remaining in place. It is unlawful to charge passengers more fees if the taxi is 70% full.

7. PRASA will only resume with a limited service once the National Coronavirus Command Council declares the risk-adjustment to Level 3, with the return of the Pienaarspoort line in Tshwane and the Southern line in Cape Town. There will be no immediate resumption of Metrorail commuter services.

8. Gautrain operations will be gradually re-introduced in all rail-based services, covering 8 of their 9 stations.  There will be no airport service.

Watch the full briefing
16:36

News24 Coronavirus coverage

We have you covered on all the latest figures and up to date coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
16:27
Police investigating KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala for alleged breach of lockdown regulations after DA complaint

The police are investigating KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala for allegedly contravenng national lockdown regulations.

This after DA MP Dianne Kohler Barnard laid a charge against Zikalala for what she deemed an "illegal gathering". The province, however, dismissed the claim.
16:15
'My wife and child need clothes' - Durban shoppers brave long queues at malls to get essentials

Many Durbanites braved long queues at malls in their neighbourhoods on Friday to stock up on essential items on the first day of Level 4 lockdown regulations.

At Gateway Mall, crowds gathered in large numbers to take advantage of the reopening of retail stores. Outside popular retailers - including Edgars, MRP, Woolworths and Ackermans - people were lined up to stock up on winter clothing and other items.

Dan Kistasamy, who visited MRP with his wife and daughter, told News24 that he was concerned about the crowds, but that he had to embark on winter shopping.
16:06
MUST SEE | Timelapse of Capetonians on Sea Point promenade as Level 4 starts

They emerged one by one in the dark of the early morning as thick mist formed a blanket on the Sea Point promenade in Cape Town - and as the sun started to break through, it looked like hundreds of walkers, joggers and cyclists had converged on this popular strip that stood empty for a month.
16:00
South Africans flocked outdoors to get their exercise within the allotted timeframe, some bringing along their children and dogs. Take a look at some images from across the country:
13:33
I lost the debate on sales of cigarettes, alcohol, says Mboweni

Finance Minister Tito Mboweni told MPs on Thursday that he did not support the continued ban on tobacco and alcohol sales.

"Once Cabinet has taken a decision, those decisions are binding on all Ministers. Even if you don't like it. For example, I didn't like the continuous ban on tobacco and alcohol but I lost the debate and therefore I have to toe the line. I know I'm losing a lot of revenue."

He was responding to questions during a virtual meeting of parliament's finance committees.
13:32
REMINDER | Level 4 makes provision for limited economic activity and the easing of some movement. A curfew from 20:00 to 05:00 will kick in, it will be mandatory to wear a cloth face mask, you will be able to buy hot foods for delivery, but you still can't buy cigarettes and alcohol.

SEE | Here is a list of what you can and not do under level 4 lockdown

South Africa is moving from a Level 5 to a Level 4 lockdown as of 1 May. Here is a list of what you can and not do.
13:30
13:28
13:23
12:49
Today is the saddest global May Day in history

For the first time in 130 years, there will be no rallies and marches to celebrate what began as a campaign for an eight-hour working day, writes Terry Bell.

Not only has that goal still not been achieved in many regions, but workers and their unions, still reeling from job losses even before the Covid-19 pandemic struck, face an even bleaker future. With airlines, major retail outlets, restaurants and other businesses in dire straits, many more jobs have been lost and even more are threatened.

Latest estimates, given the damage already done to the South African economy, are that up to 1 million more workers may be unemployed before year end. Treasury has sketched a bleak worst-case scenario in which the coronavirus sees South Africa losing a total of some 7 million jobs, bringing unemployment levels to over 50%.

Photo: A previous National May Day rally at the Peter Mokaba stadium, in Polokwane. (Media24 archive)
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11:57
MORE FROM THIS MORNING: Hundreds go for a jog in Cape Town suburb, but with a blue light whoop it was all over

They looked like ghostly shapes in the early morning mist - one by one, jogging or walking briskly. And by the time they were at the beach, there was a long line of people - all making use of the 06:00 to 09:00 exercise window allowed during South Africa's Level 4 Covid-19 lockdown.

By 08:55 the atmosphere changed - there was a rush to return home or to a vehicle. At 09:02, the first whoop of a police siren was heard as a mum and her small daughter were warned to go back inside. 
11:51
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11:26

WATCH | 'Feels like Christmas to me': Durban's beachfront bustling with people exercising

The Durban beachfront was packed earlier on Friday 1 May with people taking advantage of the Level 4 restrictions which allows for morning exercise.

11:14
BACK TO EARLIER THIS MORNING | Joburg residents get physical as lockdown restrictions ease

"This morning I got up at, like, half past five. I stood by the door until five to six and when those gates opened, it felt like Freedom Day."

These were the words of Christoff Swanepoel from Emmarentia in Johannesburg on Friday morning.He and his dog were finally able to go out for a jog thanks to the easing of restrictions under South Africa's Level 4 lockdown.

Friday was the first day of Level 4 and in terms of the new regulations, citizens are allowed to leave home to walk, run or cycle from 06:00 to 09:00, for the first time since March 26.
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10:47
No flip-flops sales allowed at a store in Eikestad Mall in Stellenbosch.
10:42
Fast food outlets remain closed as per the regulations.
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10:14
ICYMI | These fast-food chains are open from 1 May

Several beloved fast-food brands are open again for deliveries from 1 May, including Chicken Licken and Debonairs Pizza. Nando’s will not be open yet.

According to new regulations, gazetted on Wednesday, the sale of hot, prepared food will be permitted for delivery only. Customers cannot visit restaurants to get the takeaways. Restaurants may open for food delivery services only, between 09:00 to 19:00. 
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