The latest statistics from the Gender-based Violence (GBV) Command Centre show that, as regulations were eased through a phased approach, the number of calls to the centre decreased.

As of 19 June, the centre had received a total of 57 660 telephone calls, 7 462 Please Call Mes and 3 110 text messages.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a risk-adjusted strategy earlier this year, which introduced a phased approach to five levels of lockdown that would allow for economic activity to continue while managing Covid-19.

School reopening: 2020 NSC exams to go ahead as planned

The 2020 National Senior Certificate exams will go ahead as planned in November and December this year, according to new directions gazetted on Tuesday which addresses the functioning of schools during Covid-19.

These exams will be subject to the realignment of the timetable for the 2020 revised school calendar, the directions say.

As at June 23, more than 4000 people are in hospital for #COVID19 and are receiving different levels of treatment. #ECVisit23June pic.twitter.com/ATKvkcEJNO

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 23, 2020

Government has made significant roads in increasing the country's ventilator capacity for the fight against #COVID19. #ECVisit23June pic.twitter.com/hfYfzOLiyq

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 23, 2020

More than 6000 additional medical personnel have been employed to assist in the fight against #COVID19. #ECVisit23June pic.twitter.com/VE22Zp78Ql

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 23, 2020

Since the start of the #lockdown, much has been done to ramp up South Africa's healthcare system to respond to #COVID19. Here are some of the things that have been accomplished. #ECVisit23June pic.twitter.com/iGXJ3EmVNq

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) June 23, 2020

Schools reopening under lockdown: What regulations say on the phased return of pupils

The Department of Basic Education has gazetted regulations surrounding schools operating during Covid-19, including dates for the phased return of pupils, as well as guidelines for parents who will not be sending their children back.

Covid-19 wrap: 472 173 global deaths, Iran reports most deaths since April and UK eases restrictions

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 472 173 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 11:00 (GMT) on Tuesday.

PSL's long road back to the field remains unclear after 100 days without live action

Despite projections that the accelerating rate of new infections will only reach its peak in mid-July to September, restrictions have been eased with the country now on day 88 of a national lockdown.

The South African Football Association (SAFA), alongside the PSL, have set out in an effort to facilitate the safe return of local soccer, but it is beginning to look an increasingly tall order. 

A Joint Liaison Committee (JLC) including members from both football associations was assembled on 12 May with the task of formulating protocols for the safe return of football.

Two Kaizer Chiefs players test positive for Covid-19

A Kaizer Chiefs statement said: "Following a series of Covid-19 tests conducted last Friday, two Kaizer Chiefs players' results have come back positive from the laboratory.

"A total of 70 individuals, including players, members of the technical team and other club officials were tested for Covid-19 in preparation for the restart of the 2019/20 season."

6 things you need to know about the first SA Covid-19 vaccine trial

The South African Ox1Cov-19 vaccine trial is the first clinical trial in Africa for a Covid-19 vaccine and will begin this week at Wits University.

The number of Covid-19 cases continues to rise in many countries around the world, and vaccine development is widely seen as the last hope for a return to normality.

Covid-19: 'Nothing could have prepared us to deal with this virus' - Dlamini-Zuma tells NCOP

Tasked with formulating regulations to flatten the Covid-19 curve, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has said nothing could have prepared the country for the pandemic.

Dlamini-Zuma joined a debate on government’s Covid-19 response in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday.

She said although coronavirus infections have increased, government has done all it possibly can.

Wits announces SA's first Covid-19 vaccine trial, first participants to be enrolled this week

The University of the Witwatersrand has announced South Africa's first Covid-19 vaccine trial and its first participants will be enrolled this week.

The trial aims to find a vaccine that will prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection, which is the virus that causes Covid-19.

"We began screening participants for the South African Oxford 1 Covid-19 vaccine trial last week and the first participants will be vaccinated this week," Professor of Vaccinology at Wits University and Director of the South Africa Medical Research Council Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, Shabir Madhi, said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday.

As we looked at the different parts of the country we have been able to implement a strategy to effectively deal with each area. We then resolved to embark on what is called the differentiated approach, says Mkhize.

He says now that we have reduced the restrictions and started opening up, we are seeing that the numbers have started to increase. We are moving towards a devastating and decimating storm. 

Paper menus and no pouring of drinks: Here's how Ocean Basket restaurants will change

As restaurants wait for government to give them a date - and rules - to re-open, eateries like Ocean Basket have already put in place new measures to fight the spread of Covid-19. 

This includes disposable paper menus and a ban on waiters pouring drinks.

"We are ready, all of us are ready. If they say open today, we can open tomorrow," said CEO of Ocean Basket Grace Harding. 

Covid-19 wrap: Virus cases top nine million, Saudi Arabia to hold 'very limited' hajj

Global coronavirus infections have topped nine million as the World Health Organisation (WHO)  warned the pandemic was accelerating. 

Europe has steadily eased its travel lockdowns in recent weeks, and France on Monday took its biggest step back to normality by allowing millions of children to return to school.

OPINION | Standing with refugees during these challenging times

Dodging questions: Dlamini-Zuma does not have the reasons a state of disaster was declared available

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma does not have the reasons why the Covid-19 pandemic was declared a national disaster available.

The "scientific rationale" relied on to ban the sale of tobacco products is also not available, nor the reasons why alcohol sales are allowed under Level 3 lockdown.

This according to Dlamini-Zuma's recent written replies to questions posed by opposition MPs which were published in the past week.

According to the World Health Organization, South Africa accounts for nearly half of Africa's coronavirus infections.

Nigeria and Ghana are next on the list, having recorded over 20,000 and 14,000 cases respectively.

There are a total of 229,589 cumulated cases in the WHO African Region.

‘The wait is killing us’ – SA's poor desperate for R350 relief fund

As food parcels run out, many are living in hunger, waiting patiently to see if they will be one of the lucky ones who will receive the R350 relief fund.

INFOGRAPHICS | The number of Covid-19 cases in SA has doubled in 14 days to more than 100 000

It took 95 days for South Africa to record its first 50 000 Covid-19 cases. In the last 14 days, that number has doubled to more than 100 000.

Why Bheki Cele could face a legal challenge for confiscating alcohol

Alert Level 3 regulations gave citizens the green light to start purchasing alcohol, but some motorists were unable to enjoy their booze after it was confiscated during a roadblock in Gauteng.

Coronavirus morning update: SA now has more than 100 000 cases, as 'peak' nears in Western Cape

More than 100 000 cases have now been confirmed in South Africa, with deaths in the country just short of 2 000; as the pandemic nears its "peak" in the Western Cape.

South Africa has hit 100 000 Covid-19 infections as the death toll surges close to 2 000 as of Monday, according to Health Minister Zweli Mhkize.

"Regrettably, we report a further 61 Covid-19 related deaths - 1 from Limpopo, 3 from KwaZulu Natal, 18 from Eastern Cape and 39 from Western Cape. This brings the total deaths to 1 991."

The cumulative number of confirmed Covid-19 cases is 101 590 with 4 288 new cases identified.

1 353 176 tests have been completed in total of which 25 116 new tests are reported.

Here are some of our top stories of the day in 7 tweets:

The long-prepared-for "peak" may now be beginning in the Western Cape - as the national total hovered below 100 000 cases. | @MurrayRSA https://t.co/dl49l3Vgwo

— News24 (@News24) June 22, 2020

eNCA anchor tests positive for Covid-19 https://t.co/pehc8GIgyD pic.twitter.com/X8dguOUB7g

— Channel24 (@Channel24) June 22, 2020

The Department of Social Development says it must go to Treasury to ensure they are able to pay the R350 Covid-19 grant. | @tshidi_lee https://t.co/XDbTdzg0Gj

— News24 (@News24) June 22, 2020

Court dismissed DA's bid to stop minister of small business development from using BBBEE status, race, gender, age or disability when considering who gets Covid-19 aid. The party intends to appeal | @QaanitahHunter https://t.co/IVI2gY6PZ2

— News24 (@News24) June 22, 2020

https://t.co/By0KBr5HQV | Nurses protest over PPE, staff shortages at False Bay Hospital https://t.co/8b4aJrE1V8

— News24 (@News24) June 22, 2020

As face masks have become part of the new normal, deaf and hearing-impaired people are finding it difficult to communicate. | @GroundUp_News https://t.co/F1F48FzFaM

— News24 (@News24) June 22, 2020

https://t.co/By0KBr5HQV | WHO urges ramped-up Covid-19 dexamethasone production https://t.co/142hh8SlPe

— News24 (@News24) June 22, 2020

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WATCH | What you need to fly domestically under Level 3 lockdown

A number of domestic airlines took flight again last week, including Mango and FlySafair, after the government permitted domestic air travel for specific reasons under Level 3 lockdown.

The stringent documentation requirements, and reasons for travel have, however, resulted in a number of passengers being turned away, FlySafair spokesperson Kirby Gordon told News24.

WATCH | Cosas calls on education department to close schools, prioritise matrics

A group of about 30 members of the Congress of South African Students (Cosas) protested outside Iqhayiya High School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, on Monday.

They were protesting to show their disapproval over the national Department of Education's decision to open schools amid an increase in coronavirus cases.