The association taking the government to court over the tobacco ban has accused it of inflating the number of people who supported the ban and using literature that does not show the link between cigarette smoking and the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Coronavirus morning update: Schools latest - pupils back June 8, timelines 'were unrealistic'

Your latest coronavirus news: Schools will reopen on 1 June, but pupils will only return from 8 June; while Sadtu says the timelines for reopening were always "unrealistic".

South Africa has recorded another 40 coronavirus deaths, taking the fatalities to 683 as the total number of infections rise to 32 683, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in his daily update on Sunday.

TALKING POINT | Back to school for Western Cape pupils

The reopening of schools for grade 7 and 12 pupils has been pushed back by a week to June 8, the basic education department announced on Sunday evening. However, schools in the Western Cape will be ready to start teaching from Monday, June 1.

• Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga cancelled a much anticipated briefing for Sunday on the state of schools' readiness to reopen
• The has been a delay of personal protective equipment for pupils
• Some schools had not been adequately prepared for the return of pupils and teachers
• From Monday, school staff will arrive to prepare for the reopening of schools
• The coming week must be used for the proper orientation and training of teachers and supply chain matters must be resolved
• Meanwhile, Western Cape Education MEC Debbie Schäfer said schools in the province would be opening on Monday
• She says learner transport has been arranged and schools have also made preparations for the provision of school meals
• This week will be used to orientate pupils into the new Covid-19 safety and learning environment

COMING UP THIS WEEK | Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will update the country at 11:00 on Monday about the departments plans for schools to start teaching.

Here is a list of some of our top news of the day - in tweets

Scientists advised Cabinet to go to Level 1, govt chose middle ground - Ramaphosa | @QaanitahHunter https://t.co/c7gMcz65kb

— News24 (@News24) May 31, 2020

President Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted that the country's hospitals still need thousands of ICU beds to deal with the peak of the Covid-19 outbreak | @AdriaanBasson https://t.co/awQfKdkV5G

— News24 (@News24) May 31, 2020

'We are all trained in hygiene': Hairdressers strike back at lockdown rules | @Fin24 https://t.co/gI6PIghrQb pic.twitter.com/UV32Bi1OOg

— News24 (@News24) May 31, 2020

A Bo-Kaap mother expanded her yearly soup kitchen during Ramadan to help feed more than 1 000 people in Cape Town during the lockdown | @pejames https://t.co/r8ScQaiBax

— News24 (@News24) May 31, 2020

Hiking and game drives are legal on Monday – but only two national parks will be opening | @BISouthAfrica https://t.co/Zs150mFlUN pic.twitter.com/byOQ0Rya1B

— News24 (@News24) May 31, 2020

A look at what is making international headlines:

George Floyd protesters: 'We don't need a curfew, we need change':  Undeterred by curfew and National Guard, Minneapolis protesters took to the street with one simple demand 'all cops involved in George Floyd's death be charged'.

Backlash against Trump exiting WHO as world virus cases top 6 million: US President Donald Trump faced a broad backlashover severing ties with the UN's health agency during a pandemic, as coronavirus cases worldwide topped 6 million and infections surged in Latin America.

Hundreds of schools in South Korea reopened, only to close again: An uptick in coronavirus cases forced South Korea to close hundreds of schools that had reopened only days earlier, and delay others from welcoming back students.

Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem reopens after two months: Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, reopened on Sunday after being closed for over two months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

One in 8 museums in the world may never reopen due to the coronavirus pandemic: Unesco and the International Council of Museums report that nearly 13% of museums around the world - an estimated 1 in 8 museums - may never reopen.

US astronauts enter space station in milestone mission: NASA astronauts entered the International Space Station on Sunday after a landmark 19-hour journey on the first crewed US spacecraft in nearly a decade, a triumph for SpaceX and private enterprise.

FACES OF LOCKDOWN | The coronavirus has locked down our nation and its people. News24 speaks to ordinary South Africans, to find out how they are living through the pandemic. We bring you their stories.

- Compiled by Adiel Ismail

South Africa has recorded 40 more coronavirus-related deaths on Sunday, according to Health Minister Zweli Mhkize.

The cumulative number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa is 32 683, with 1 716 new cases reported from the last 24 hour testing cycle.

A total of 725 125 tests have been processed cumulatively of which 23 242 tests have been conducted since the last report.

The recoveries to date are 16 809 translates to a recovery rate of 51.4%.

Western Cape schools to open on Monday as DBE announces a week delay

All grade 7 and 12 pupils will have to report back to school on Monday, 8 June 2020, the department of basic education said in a statement on Sunday night. However, some Western Cape schools will be open to receive learners from Monday, I June.

This followed meetings with the Council of Education Minister (CEM), where the Heads of Education Departments Committee (HEDCOM), also presented its technical report. 

"All three reports converged on the fact that a substantial number of schools would not be ready for the reopening tomorrow, albeit tremendous progress had been made by most provinces, which overall reflected 80% state of readiness," said spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga.

The Council was concerned that, in some provinces personal protective equipment for learners in particular, had not been received; and some schools had not been made ready for the arrival of teachers and learners.

The Council decided to have schools to continue to reopen on 1 June 2020, but with school management teams, teachers and non-teaching staff only arriving to prepare for the arrival of learners. 

"Provincial and district officials should ensure that health, safety, and social distancing requirements, are strictly adhered to when teachers arrive.

"This whole coming week must be used for the proper orientation and training of teachers, the mopping and ramping of all supply chain matters, and final touches to the readiness of each facility for the arrival of learners."

However, Western Cape schools will be open to receive learners tomorrow, said Western Cape education MEC Debbie Schafer.

"Whilst we are aware of the many anxieties surrounding Covid-19, keeping schools closed indefinitely is not going to resolve them," said Schafer.

"We shall accordingly be open for learners tomorrow. The week will be used primarily for the orientation of learners into the new Covid-19 safety and learning environment."

Schafer said there will also be some schools that do not receive learners tomorrow, either because they are not at a suitable state of readiness in terms of safety protocols, or they are closed for cleaning if there has been a confirmed case of Covid-19 at the school.

"These schools will communicate with their staff members and parents of learners in this regard."

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has postponed her address on the state of readiness of schools to reopen. This comes as Grade 7 and 12s are expected to return to school on Monday.

There has been widespread opposition from unions to the reopening of schools.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has rescheduled a much anticipated briefing on the state of schools' readiness to reopen, amid ongoing consultations | @Sesona_Ngqaks https://t.co/Srm8UPsjO8

— News24 (@News24) May 31, 2020

Shortage of ICU beds is SA's biggest challenge, says Ramaphosa

South Africa's foremost editors interviewed President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday about on the coronavirus pandemic.

Ramaphosa thanked the media for their "indispensable" contribution in the fight against Covid-19.

He said the media has helped to inform and empower the people of the country, stimulated public debate and also held those in government to account.

Here are 9 takeouts from the meeting:

ICU beds: This is the big challenge. We have sought to use the lockdown period to ramp up the number of ICU beds. 25 000 ICU beds is quite a lot and I would like our minister to focus more on the establishment of these beds.

The Covid-19 distress fund: Our current plan is that this will only last for about 6 months. From a fiscal point of view, we are in a serious situation. The R500 billion support package has been crafted to help us during this disaster but we do need measures to be implemented well into the future.

The World Health Organisation's handling of the pandemic: I am on of the leaders in the world who is happy with the work of the WHO. The organisation has to be at the centre of this global health response, they need to b strengthened and it is for this reason that I have also participated in raising funds for the WHO.

The Medical Advisory Committee: I am in also full support of the MAC that Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has set up. They have been doing a fantastic job in guiding us. Diverse views in a group of over 50 professionals is to be expected - and I welcome this.

"What we are doing, and I want to reiterate this, is that we are guided by science. None of us is flying by the seat of our political thoughts. It is guided by science." 

On the issue of contradictory communication: I have been saying to the ministers let us make sure that our communication is clear, direct and that we not contradict or misinterpret our regulations.

Cigarettes ban: The change to keep the ban on cigarettes came about as a result of a flurry of concerns and objections raised by a number of South Africans after it was announced that tobacco products will be sold. Ramaphosa admits that he should have been the one to communicate the change in the decision.

Opening up the economy: The decision to ease restrictions were informed by advice from scientists who indicated that keeping a hard lockdown in place would become ineffective. 

The National Health Insurance: The coronavirus pandemic is serving to test how the NHI system can work in the country. "We are putting in place the pillars of an NHI we can be proud of".

Medical supplies: A huge platform is being built to procure diagnostic and therapeutic medical supplies through a central procurement process for the whole continent. Businessman Strive Masiyiwa has been appointed as an envoy to look for supplies for the continent. China will give Africa 30 million test kits per month, as well as 10 000 ventilators and 80 million masks.

Motshekga to address nation after meeting with unions, who insist schools not ready for reopening

Education unions met with Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga on Saturday in a bid to convince her that despite her announcement that the phased reopening of schools would commence on Monday, the education system was simply not ready to do so in its current state.

'They just refused to touch me': Patient claims being mistreated by nurses while in quarantine

Sylvia Segers, 61, alleges she was mistreated by staff at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg while in quarantine awaiting her Covid-19 results.

'We are all trained in hygiene': Hairdressers strike back at lockdown rules

Hair salon owners are struggling to understand why they are not allowed to operate under lockdown, saying they are arguably among the most hygienic industries, sticking to strict health and safety protocols already. If they can't start operating soon, they're worried about having to close their doors permanently and let staff go, some of which support extended family members.

OPINION | Catholic priest: Why it's wrong to open our churches on Monday

Is it responsible to allow religious gatherings during Level 3 lockdown? This church leader says no. There are safer ways to provide people with spiritual support during the Covid-19 epidemic, writes Father Russell Pollitt for Bhekisisa. 

PICS | Feeding the hungry in the time of Covid-19

As many endure the real financial burden of the lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, members of the public and civil society groups alike have taken up the task to help feed the hungry.

All photographs by Shavan Rahim.

Coronavirus morning update: Transport latest - taxi, bus curfews to be lifted and airlines lifeline

Taxis and buses will be allowed to operate throughout the day with no time restrictions; and airlines get a lifeline - but it's a short one.

The coronavirus death toll has risen to 643, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says.

The number of positive cases has increased by 1 727 to 30 967. There have, however, been 16 116 recoveries.

Here are today’s top stories

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalalula has announced the curfews on public transport will be lifted from Monday, as the country shifts into Level 3 of lockdown. Domestic flying for business purposes will also resume. Railways, however, may only be open on 1 July.

The tourism sector is being allowed to gradually open, with hotels, game reserves, hiking spots and hunting set to resume on Monday - but with conditions. The Tourism Department has also pledged more money for those struggling in the sector.

Contact sports like soccer and rugby can resume training from Monday, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa has said, but there is no date set yet for matches to return. Non-contact sports, however, may resume both training and matches. This includes cricket, athletics, swimming, tennis and golf.

There is still, however, some confusion regarding whether casual golf playing may continue from Monday. GolfRSA says it is trying to seek clarity as to whether non-professional playing can get underway.

Meanwhile, Mthethwa said about 1 500 artists will receive relief funding. The department has set aside R200 million to aid struggling artists.

Four airports will reopen for domestic flights from Monday. Business Insider reports that people who aren’t flying will not be allowed into airports. Passengers must produce proof of reasons for their travel, and no recreational or tourism flying will be allowed. Tickets have gone on sale, but seats are limited.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says US President Donald Trump’s breaking of ties with the World Health Organisation is “unfortunate”. Trump, whose country is the world’s epicentre, on Friday cut funding after a long standoff with the WHO. Mkhize said the world should be focussed on controlling Covid-19.

Stay informed with News24

Level 3 | Here’s what is and what is not allowed
Alcohol is back | Get the lowdown
Domestic workers can return to work | But they will have to abide by conditions
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
Rolling coverage | All the latest Covid-19 news in one place

- Compiled by Kerushun Pillay

TOURISM DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES CHANGES FOR LEVEL 3

Kubayi-Ngubane announces that tourist guides, travel agents and tourism information centres may work again during Level 3. Training may also return, such as training for guides. 

Public and private game farms can reopen for game drives, but no group tours may happen. Hiking may also happen, but not in groups. 

People cannot travel to different provinces to do this activities, however. 

Places offering accommodation, like hotels and B&Bs, are allowed to open to house people who are travelling for business. No one is allowed to stay for leisure purposes. 

Hunting is allowed during Level 3. 

Conferences are still prohibited under Level 3. 

Casinos are still not permitted during Level 3. 

The minister reminded the public that restaurants will be allowed to open for deliveries and for pick up. Same with purchasing alcohol. 

Kubayi-Ngubane says her department's relief fund, which is a once-off subsidy of R50 000 for entities in the tourism sector. 

She said there have been more than 6 000 completed applications made to her department so far. The application process closes on 31 May.

She says tour guides complained about being "neglected" by local governments. In response to this, however, the department has set aside R30 million to provide relief for tourist guides for two-to-three months. The tour guides must, however, be registered with relevant bodies and must be freelancers or independent contractors.

Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane begins her address...

She says the tourism sector has been "fighting for survival" during Covid-19 shutdowns, and that it could lose 600 000 jobs if the sector doesn't come alive soon. 

EU urges US to think again on WHO split

The European Union on Saturday called on the United States to "reconsider" the decision to sever ties with the World Health Organisation over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday he was severing US ties with the WHO, accusing it of failing to do enough to combat the initial spread of the virus.

The United States was the largest contributor to the WHO budget, providing at least $400 million in annual funding.

Prasa not ready to operate and 'we're not ready to take a risk' - transport DG

"Prasa is a broken place we are fixing and is in no position to make alternative arrangements for commuters," says director-general of transport Alec Moemi.

"We have to ensure that first the lines are safe and secondly, that the mitigation measures are effective."

PUBLIC TRANSPORT 

Mbalula says students and pupils returning to schools may travel between provinces. Ditto for people travelling for work - but they must have a requisite permit. 

People moving to new places of residence and those who need to care for a family member can also travel. Attending funerals, obtaining medical treatment, transporting remains, transporting children is allowed. 

Public transport restrictions are lifted, but vehicles must still adhere to capacity restrictions. 

Driver's license testing services and vehicle testing centres will reopen on 1 June, subject to strict application of sanitation and health measures. 

Mbalula reiterates that travel for visiting people is still not allowed in Level 3.  

As the country moves to level 3, with more industries resuming operations, learners returning to school, the transport sector must be responsive to enable mobility of both workers and learners.

In doing so, we must maintain a delicate balance between enabling mobility and arresting the spread of the virus. Our commitment to preservation of human life above all else, is informed by our constitution, which enjoins us in ensuring that the right to life is protected.

Minister Mbalula announces that limited domestic air travel for business purposes will be allowed

The Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula is set to hold a press briefing at 14:00 on Covid-19 interventions ahead of the country’s move to alert Level 3.

TODAY AT 14:00 https://t.co/GPMPPK9Pbh pic.twitter.com/yP7Inzz9UV

— Minister of Transport |Mr Fix (@MbalulaFikile) May 30, 2020

Ekurhuleni mayor tests negative for Covid-19 after food bank visit

In a statement, his office said he was tested even though he experienced no symptoms.

Masina said: "All essential service personnel working in my office took the Covid-19 test with me and I am pleased to report that all their results returned negative."

SA Rugby welcomes return-to-train news

All professional sports teams and administrators who want to resume training or playing now have 14 days to submit their proposals to government to map out, procedurally, how they will ensure the safety of the players and officials involved.

"This is the news sport has been waiting to hear as it allows us to begin to ramp up preparations for an eventual return-to-play," SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux said via press statement.

Confusion reigns as social golf set to remain suspended under Level 3 lockdown

Professional non-contact sport will be allowed in Level 3 of South Africa's national lockdown, but there is confusion over what this means for the country's golf courses. 

With sports like golf, cricket, tennis, athletics and swimming all getting the green light to continue at a professional level from Monday, the South African golfing community has been seeking clarity through GolfRSA in terms of what the new regulations will mean for club members around the country.

Contact sports can resume training in Level 3, but no matches yet

Professional rugby and soccer teams in South Africa can resume training under Level 3 of the national lockdown regulations starting on Monday, 1 June, but they will not be allowed to resume matches. 

Non-contact professional sports, meanwhile, have been given the green light to resume training and playing.

MINISTERIAL BRIEFING STATEMENT: THE DEPARTMENT OF SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURE COVID-19 SECTOR RELIEF FUND

Date 30 May 2020

Minister in the Presidency, Hon J Mthembu
Deputy Minister for Sport, Arts and Culture, Hon N Mafu
The Director General of the Department, Mr. V Mkhize,
Members of the Media,
Dear Compatriots,

We meet today as we close off Africa Month, a very significant month for the continent; and on the back of Africa Day which was on the 25th of May 2020. Africa Day is not only a Day to celebrate our proud heritage and our culture, it is a day to reflect on the progress that we have made as Africans in unifying our continent.

This week we honour the legacy of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who celebrated their 60th birthday on the 28th of May. The group, led by the late legend, Joseph Shabalala, along with many other cultural and heritage ensembles should be celebrated for their role in bringing unity to the continent and the world.

Today, not only are we faced with the challenge of unifying Africa, we are also faced with the challenge of beating Covid-19. There is no time more prudent than now to show solidarity to one another as Africans. As a Department we will continue to do what we can to alleviate the impact of the Coronavirus on practitioners in the sport and arts and culture sectors.

We were propelled by this state of affairs when we committed ourselves to do something to try and soften the impact of Covid-19.

On the 25th of March, we announced a R150 Million Relief Fund to assist artists, athletes, technical personnel and the core ecosystem of the sector nationally. The other part of this fund was open to proposals for livestreaming the work of of creatives and athletes, particularly, intergenerational cooperation between younger artists and the legends. This work has started.

The MECs of Sport, Arts and Culture in all provinces have since announced the provincial Relief Funds to assist athletes and artists at that level. These Funds amount to more than R50 million combined. We thank them for their commitment in serving the sector. If you add this amount to the the one announced nationally it is more than R200 million at the disposal of the sector. We have agreed with the MECs in our consultative meetings we’ve held that if a person receives funds from one level, he or she may not be assisted again at another level, eg. you get financial assistance from the National Relief Fund, the province will then be exempted from providing you with financial assistance and vice versa.

Our teams of independent adjudicators have been working tirelessly to ensure that as many people as possible receive relief during this time.

Sport Adjudication process

The sport adjudication panel was the first to be appointed on the 9th of April, the first to begin adjudicating as well as the first to complete the process. As it stands today, the total number of sport applications received is 470.

The number of approved and paid sport applicants is 296 and 174 declined. A total of 26 appeals have been received and the Appeals Committee has sat this week to review those 26 appeals, 10 were successful and 3 were rejected.

There were 2 successful applicants who appealed but were rejected as they had already received funding. The remaining 11 appealants still have information outstanding.

Arts and Culture

The arts and culture adjudication process was not without it’s glitches, however, we have rectified those and have made significant progress.

The original number of successful applicants was 1,250 but the high number of those rejected compelled us to set up an appeals process to give a platform to those who were not recommended, for their case to be heard by an independent appeals committee.

As a result, the number of successful applicants has increased to 1 520, therefore reducing the number of those not recommended from 1 930 to 1 660 and counting. The number will continue to change because of the 1 284 appeals emails that have been received to date. The panel has attended to 698. 270 of those have been successful.

1050 had been sent for payment by the 26th of May, however that number has since increased by 270 as of the 29th of May, which came from successful appeals. Thus bringing the number ready for payment to 1 320. Of which 592 have been paid. The balance is being attended to everyday.

On Wednesday the 6th of May we had a successful meeting with the sector, especially the key national organisations in the sector to look at how, within the legal parameters, we can ensure that those who really need the assistance, especially from the disadvantaged communities, receive funding. We met with:

The Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of SA (CCIFSA)
The SA Music Industry Council (SAMIC)
The SA Screen Federation (SASFED)
The SA Arts and Culture Youth Forum (SAACYF)
The Independent Black Filmmakers Collective (IBFC)
The SA Roadies Association (SARA)
SA Musicians Support Association,
Children and Broadcasting Service SA; and
The National Clap and Tap Arts Council

We have subsequently beefed up our mechanisms in order to fast-track the process. Adjudication has been closed and the Department, with the help of an independent committee, is finalising the appeals process.

Since the announcement of the Lockdown, there has been no sectoral activity to date. The announcement of amended regulations under level 3 is indeed going to see the gradual introduction of various sectoral activities, however under strict adherence to safety measures, as outlined under the Disaster Management regulations.

Let me take this opportunity and applaud our sector for the discipline demonstrated since the commencement of the Lockdown period. The 100% adherence to the Lockdown Regulations by ensuring that no sectoral activity takes place during this time, has indeed played a tremendous role in assisting with the reduction of the spread of Covid–19.

We as a Department are committed to rebuilding a better society towards the advancement of the sector beyond Covid-19.

I thank you.

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa is now updating SA on the work by his department in preparing for Level 3 lockdown

LEVEL 3 LOCKDOWN: HOST OF MINISTERS TO BRIEF MEDIA ON SATURDAY

A number of ministers will brief the media on Saturday as the country prepares to enter Level 3 of the nationwide lockdown owing to the coronavirus.

On Sunday, during a live address to the nation, President Cyril Ramaphosa reminded the country that the point of the lockdown - which has been in effect since 27 March - was to delay the spread of the virus, as well as to ensure the health system is ready for a spike in infections.

Following his address, several ministers have already made their regulations and amendments public, with Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma fleshing out regulations on Thursday, before several of her colleagues presented their amendments to regulations on Friday.

On Saturday it will be the turn of Nathi Mthethwa (Sports, Arts and Culture), Fikile Mbalula (Transport) and Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane (Tourism).

The big news coming out of regulations this week is that non-contact professional sport can resume under Level 3 of the lockdown and the expectation is that Mthethwa will spend much of his time dealing with this aspect. 

Mbalula on the other hand, could shed light on the details of domestic air travel and matters pertaining to public scholar transport as learners in grades 7 and 12 prepare to return to school on Monday.

Date: Saturday, 30 May 2020

10h00 - Sports, Arts and Culture 

14h00 - Transport

18h00 - Tourism

Schools reopening: teachers concerned about infection, compliance by children

Some Gauteng teachers have told News24 they fear being infected with Covid-19 as schools reopen on Monday, following a two-month closure.

News24 visited two primary schools in Lenasia on Monday, where a number of teachers had reported for duty.

The WHO has been invaluable says Abdool Karim.

"We are heavily dependent on the WHO," he says.

South Africa now has 29 240 coronavirus cases after a spike of 1 837.

There are 34 new deaths bringing the total to 611.

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has approved 23 PCR tests and 20 serological tests.

These have been recommended to be validated through the NHLS.

One serological point of care test has been authorised for secondary validation to ensure there are no problems with the test.

There have been cases when countries had to recall tests because it gave false results.

By sending the test for a secondary validation, that situation will be avoided, says Dr Tumi of SAHPRA.

South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has approved 23 PCR tests and 20 serological tests.

These have been recommended to be validated through the NHLS.

One serological point of care test has been authorised for secondary validation to ensure there are no problems with the test.

There have been cases when countries had to recall tests because it gave false results.

By sending the test for a secondary validation, that situation will be avoided, says Dr Tumi of SAHPRA.

Suppliers are being diversified so that if one supplier doesn't have equipment, another can be approached.

The Western Cape has also been prioritised for new equipment.