Cabinet meeting on Tuesday over NCCC terms of reference

President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to convene a special Cabinet meeting at 14:00 on Tuesday which is expected to relook the terms of reference of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and consider the legal action it is facing.

R350 unemployment grant: After many failed attempts, we finally found a way to apply

Applications for the temporary Covid-19 grant for people with no other income or state support officially opened for applications on Monday – if only in theory.

Coronavirus status  

Free State: 135

Gauteng: 2 014

KwaZulu-Natal: 1394

Limpopo: 54

Mpumalanga: 63

North West: 51

Northern Cape: 30

Western Cape: 6 105

Eastern Cape: 1 504

Total cases: 11 350  

Total tests: 369 697

Covid-19 wrap: Fauci warns of 'needless death', 5 die in hospital fire and Wuhan to test entire city

Keeping you up to date on the latest novel coronavirus (Covid-19) news from around the world.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize salutes nurses working during the coronavirus pandemic.  

You are often the one who holds the hand and closes the eye in the last moment  

Council for Medical Schemes chairperson dies of Covid-19 complications

The chairperson of the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) Dr Clarence Mini has died from Covid-19 complications, the council body confirmed on Tuesday.

'You've been very good to me' - cheers, tears as Cape Town coronavirus patient is discharged

Shirley Horton sobbed as she threw her arms around her husband, Ken, as he left the Mediclinic Durbanville in Cape Town following his treatment for Covid-19.

Covid-19 wrap: France daily toll rises, Boris Johnson under pressure and Twitter flags misinformation

Keeping you up to date on the latest novel coronavirus (Covid-19) news from around the world.

OPINION: Prolonged lockdown may not be effective in containing the contagion

At present, the lockdown is paradoxically reducing our ability to monitor the spread of the disease until patients fall sick and require medical attention, which puts a strain on our healthcare system, writes Lorenzo Fioramonti.

China reports no more new domestic coronavirus cases after weekend spike

China reported no new domestic coronavirus infections on Tuesday, after two consecutive days of double-digit increases fuelled fears of a second wave of infections.

Sifiso Ntombela | Post-coronavirus recovery - a chance to review SA's trade policies

The coronavirus has affected the entire global population, with more than four million people confirmed to have contracted the virus, and the number of infected individuals growing every hour.

Back to school: Only Gauteng and Western Cape ready to reopen - report

Education MECs representing Gauteng and Western Cape are the only ones who have indicated that they are ready to reopen schools.

WATCH | Gauteng transport MEC inspects safety measures at Soweto taxi rank, bus depot

Gauteng Transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo visited the Bara Taxi Rank in Soweto on Monday where a new walk-through sanitising pod was tested.

White House staff wear masks | UK school decision slammed: WATCH the top world news videos for today

Trump requires White House staff to wear face masks | UK government decision to open schools 'premature and reckless', says head of teachers' union; here are the top world news videos for today.

Game now sells food and groceries on Uber Eats – sometimes for cheaper than competitors do in store

As of this week Uber Eats is delivering a wide range of the essentials that stores may sell from Game. That includes a long list of dry and frozen food, groceries and cleaning supplies, pet food, and baby products – down to 5kg bags of maize meal.

Gabola Church pastor and wife arrested for conducting church service during lockdown

A pastor and his wife from the popular Gabola Church for All Nations in Evaton in southern Johannesburg are out on bail following their arrest for allegedly contravening the Covid-19 lockdown regulations.

WATCH | Crime prevention and traffic officers caught on video pulling on KZN child

The mayor of KwaDukuza Municipality has spoken out against her crime prevention and traffic officers, who were caught on video pulling a child while seemingly enforcing an alleged lockdown-related infringement on Monday.

Mandy Wiener: It’s all about trust, baby!

The president hasn’t addressed the nation in nearly three weeks now - if we are doing this as part of a social compact, he needs to show us he’s part of it too and that the trust we’ve placed in him is still earned, writes Mandy Wiener. 

WATCH: E-commerce gearing up for business under Level 4 lockdown

South Africa's world of e-commerce is readying to go under the new comprehensive safety measures in place to ensure strict, safe and healthy trade during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Lockdown | Govt agrees to provide reasons for ban on cigarette sales

Government has agreed to provide the Fair Trade Independent Tobacco Association with reasons for maintaining the ban on cigarette and tobacco product sales under level 4 of the lockdown.

The association, whose members include cigarette makers Carnilinx and Gold Leaf Tobacco, had launched an urgent court bid for government to lift a ban on sales of cigarettes and tobacco products during lockdown and to have these products be deemed essential goods.

Coronavirus morning update: SA deaths pass 200, Cele says even more lawbreakers under Level 4 lockdown

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is appealing for more funding to accelerate vaccine development for about seven to eight "top" candidates, according to the UN agency's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

More than 80 000 people are now known to have died in the United States from Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. Globally, nearly 285 500 have died. 

Russia is due to start easing coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday, despite reporting a record number of cases the previous day. 

France and Spain, two of the hardest pandemic-hit countries in Europe, are gradually easing the restrictions they imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Trump insists his administration has 'met the moment' on coronavirus testing

US President Donald Trump is insisting his administration has “met the moment” and “prevailed” on coronavirus testing. Speaking in the Rose Garden at the White House, Trump reiterated that everyone who wants a test can get one, although officials later clarified that to everyone who “needs” a test. 

The White House has now ordered everyone entering the West Wing to wear a mask, after two cases of Covid-19 were confirmed among staff. 

Gyms, hair salons in Brazil declared 'essential' services

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has declared gyms and hair and beauty salons "essential" services allowing them to remain open despite the coronavirus lockdown. 

Right-wing Bolsonaro has been a vocal opponent of the lockdowns imposed by state and municipal governments across Brazil despite the mounting number of cases and deaths.

"The question of life has to be taken in parallel with jobs," Bolsonaro said on Monday outside his official residence.

"Without the economy, there is no life, there are no doctors, there are no hospital supplies." 

- Al Jazeera

South Africa can't get enough Covid-19 testing supplies - here's why we should be making our own

A global shortage of the chemicals needed to test for the new coronavirus is crippling South Africa’s Covid-19 testing campaign. But what if we could produce these reagents right here at home, asks Candice Sehoma.

South Africa has seen yet another big jump in new coronavirus cases, with 637 infections, which takes the tally to 10 652.

There are 4 357 recoveries.

The death toll is at 206, with the North West recording its first death, Western Cape eight new deaths, Eastern Cape two and KwaZulu-Natal one.

The Western Cape remains the province with the highest number of positive cases, currently sitting at 52.8% of the 5 621 national cases.

The province also recorded the highest spike in new numbers, with 453 new cases.

Western and Eastern Cape concern

The infection rate of people travelling between the Eastern Cape and Western Cape was of "major concern", Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said.

He said the proximity of the two provinces was seen as a major cause behind the rapid spread of infection.

“It is an issue that we are going to resolve as national government,” Mkhize said.

"The two provinces operate like an ecosystem," he said, adding that cross-border travel for funerals was a contributor.

While President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit the Western Cape, Mkhize said 20 Cuban doctors will be deployed to two of the Eastern Cape's Covid-19 hotspots - Port Elizabeth and East London - to help contain the spread of the coronavirus.

More people break regulations under Level 4

More lockdown rules have been broken since 1 May when restrictions were eased from Level 5 to 4, Police Minister Bheki Cele said.

"Under Level 5, 10  [people] were arrested for alcohol offences. But since Level 4, there were almost 60 offences for dispensing and transporting alcohol."

While visiting the Tambo Memorial Hospital in Boksburg on Saturday, Cele said he was told that violent cases had almost completely reduced in the area.

Over 1 800 additional social workers to be deployedMore than 1 800 social workers will be employed for a period of three months to provide timely psycho-social interventions and support for affected individuals and families.

676 additional social workers will be based in Gauteng, 266 in KwaZulu-Natal, 246 in the Western Cape, 171 in the Eastern Cape, 128 in Mpumalanga, 116 in Limpopo, 92 in the Free State, 81 in the North West and 33 additional social workers to render services in the Northern Cape.

"The provision of psycho-social support services are an integral part of disaster response as it helps individuals and communities to rebuild their lives," said Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu.

Back to school

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has promised to announce on Thursday when schools will officially reopen.

This follows consultations with various stakeholders, her department said in a statement.

Motshekga is expected to provide details of the final dates and detailed plans for the phased approach to the possible reopening of schools.

- Compiled by Maxine Becket

Western Cape has a new plan to deal with coronavirus hotspots as deaths rise to 106

The Western Cape has recorded an additional four coronavirus deaths, bringing the total number of deaths in the province to 106. 

Nationally, there have been 206 deaths.

Premier Alan Winde said the province has now approved the Whole of Government Covid-19 Hotspot Strategy for the City of Cape Town, where the numbers are increasing.

Uncertainty over 2021 local government elections

At this stage, it is still unclear whether the Covid-19 pandemic will delay next year's local government elections, but one of the steps usually taken before the elections is already behind schedule.

The CEO of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), Sy Mamabolo, told the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs on Monday that, before every local government election, the Municipal Demarcation Board (MDB) goes through the process of evaluating the potential demarcation and re-demarcation ward boundaries.

Pressing need for food parcels in Durban amid Covid-19 outbreak

Residents of Blackburn Village, next to the N2 freeway in Durban, say they live in fear of starvation.

They say there are not enough food parcels for the over 2 000 households in the informal settlement.Some say they applied to Sassa for food parcel relief but have yet to receive any.

Social Development Dept to deploy over 1 800 additional social workers

As Covid-19 continues to impact individuals and families across South Africa, Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu has announced the recruitment of over 1 800 additional social workers.

During a briefing on Monday, Zulu said an additional 1 809 social workers would be hired to reinforce the current workforce.

PICS | Elderly people brave long lines to register for Sassa grants

Crowds of pensioners lined up in the early hours of Monday morning to register for pension grants, braving the cold and a global pandemic to seek assistance as SA Social Security Agency (Sassa) offices reopened on Monday.

Elderly people, over the age of 60, arrived in the Johannesburg CBD as early as 04:30 to take their place in the line, without any physical distancing observed.

Mkhize sends 20 Cuban doctors to Eastern Cape to assist in Covid-19 fight

Twenty Cuban doctors will be deployed to two of the Eastern Cape's Covid-19 hotspots - Port Elizabeth and East London - to help contain the spread of the coronavirus, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has said.

Port Elizabeth, in the Nelson Mandela Bay metro municipality, and East London, in the Buffalo City metro, respectively have 500 and 238 cases of people who have tested positive.

Distressed businesses an 'absolute priority' - DTI

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is in talks with National Treasury to get additional finance to support companies in distress as part of the post-coronavirus economic recovery package, Director-General Lionel October said on Monday.

The department's head, alongside Minister Ebrahim Patel, briefed members of Parliament on the performance plan and budget for the year.

They both acknowledged that the impact of Covid-19 would lead to an adjustment in the department's budget and plans.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to announce this week when schools will officially reopen.

After consultations with various stakeholders, Motshekga has promised to brief the nation on Thursday, her department said in a statement.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to announce this week when schools will officially reopen.

After consultations with various stakeholders, Motshekga has promised to brief the nation on Thursday, her department said in a statement.

Some SA nurses, doctors can get free flights on Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is giving away 100,000 free tickets to frontline healthcare professionals, including South African medical staff.

Doctors, medical practitioners, nurses, paramedics, pharmacists, lab technicians and clinical researchers can win two free economy-class tickets each to anywhere on the airline’s global network.

Coronavirus symptoms multiply as pandemic deepens

Every week, it seems, the list of coronavirus symptoms - ranging from disagreeable to deadly, from "COVID toes" to toxic shock - grows longer.

What began as a familiar flu-like cluster of chills, headaches and fever has rapidly expanded over the last three months into a catalogue of syndromes affecting most of the body's main organs.

The new coronavirus can also push the immune system into overdrive, unleashing an indiscriminate assault on pathogens and their human hosts alike.

PE clinic closes after nurse dies, 11 staff test positive

The closure on Monday morning comes after 11 staff members tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday. 

A nurse also died a few weeks ago.Staff at the clinic have been demanding that they all be tested and that the clinic be closed for fumigation.

A few nurses who had already been tested are still waiting for their results at home.

The R100 million funding extended by the Mary Oppenheimer Daughters to Phumelela Gaming and Leisure is expected to stabilise the finances of the cash-strapped company while it goes through business rescue.

The horse racing company announced that it had received funding from the family of the late mining magnate Harry Oppenheimer, allowing it space to navigate the rescue process which was accelerated by the cancellation of racing events due to lockdown.

Gauteng govt blames lockdown regulations for failing to settle salary allowances

The Gauteng government says the lockdown is one of the reasons for its failure to settle all salary allowances since March.

The province has promised to settle all outstanding salary allowances of employees this month.

North West records first death - national death toll rises to 206, cases jump to 10 652

North West province has recorded its first coronavirus related death, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Monday.

In his usual national update, Mkhize said 12 more people had died of Covid-19, taking the total number of deaths to 206.

The Western Cape registered eight new deaths, the Eastern Cape two, KwaZulu-Natal one, and the North West one, which is the province's first.

All systems go for special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant

As the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) prepares to roll out the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, new directives have been gazetted that will see the return of 30% of the agency's workforce.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu made this announcement on Monday during a briefing in Pretoria where she detailed the plans for grant beneficiaries in line with the Level 4 lockdown.

The focus is now on the containment of the virus on the side of the community.

Funerals is where a lot of the spreading takes place, says Mkhize.

He reminds people that funerals should not have more than 50 people, night vigils and memorials are still not allowed, he says.