From Business Insider South Africa:
Retail, e-commerce rules may be relaxed soon, Ramaphosa says – but details still to come
SA’s odd authorised list of Level 4 clothes: no balaclavas probably, but definitely no flip-flops
African swine fever hits SA: What you need to know
Car theft, hijackings on the rise – but still 35% lower than before lockdown, says Tracker
It could take the SA economy at least 6 years to recover from Covid-19, according to a new estimate
The US and China are on the brink of a new Cold War that could devastate the global economy
Today's headlines:
1. Most of South Africa should be in Level 3 of the national lockdown by the end of the month, but some hotspots – particularly cities – may stay in Level 4, president Cyril Ramaphosa announced last night. Read more.
2. Finance Minister Tito Mboweni will table an "emergency" budget which makes provision for Covid-19 relief efforts by 24 June. Read more.
3. Eskom has restricted electricity supply to parts of residential areas around Johannesburg, where unusual surges in consumption have been recorded. There has been a trend of surges during peak usage periods, between 05:00 and 09:00, and between 17:00 and 20:00, leading the power utility to suspect a link to illegal connections. Read more.
4. Shoprite and Pick n Pay have agreed to drop “exclusivity clauses” in their leases with shopping malls against small stores. Read more.
5, Bloomberg reports that the successful UK-based hedge fund - ProMeritum Investment Management - has allocated a fifth of its money - its biggest single holding - to South African government bonds. It’s betting on a 15% rally in the next three to six months.
Table of the day
Fact of the day
Until the coronavirus pandemic is eradicated, sex of any kind could increase a person's Covid-19 risk, according to a May 8 editorial from three doctors and US public health experts.
They said people should consider masturbation and phone sex instead of sex because of the close proximity partnered sex involves.
There is also some limited evidence semen could transmit the virus.
The team warned sex with a live-in partner carries risks if they have been to a grocery store or have been in contact with people outside in any capacity. Read more.
Tweet of the day
So to summarize, South Africa has moved to Level 3.9, which is Level 4 but with some inspirational quotes, except for Cape Town, which has to report to the principal's office.
— Tom Eaton (@TomEatonSA) May 13, 2020
