Let's all press forward together, the ANC said on Sunday, throwing its weight behind President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to move the country to Alert Level 2 of the Covid-19 lockdown.

In a statement, ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said the party commended the tireless efforts and effective leadership of Ramaphosa and his team in the war against the Covid-19 pandemic.

While President Cyril Ramaphosa's easing of the lockdown regulations to allow more economic activity – including the sale of cigarettes and alcohol – was generally welcomed, some opposition parties have called it too little, too late.

On Saturday evening, Ramaphosa addressed the nation, saying there was reason for hope, while the need for vigilance in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic remained.

In a statement titled "Too late, Mr President. You've already killed the economy", DA interim leader John Steenhuisen said Ramaphosa's announcement "is nothing but a capitulation to the real power in the ANC, who desperately want to cling to the 'new normal' they have created for South Africa these past five months".

4513 new coronavirus cases bring SA's total to 583 653.

The total death toll now stands at 11 667, with 121 new cases.

As the country moves to Level 2 lockdown, all tobacco products can now be sold from midnight on Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced.

Liquor can also be sold but within restrictions - from Monday to Thursday,between 9am and 5pm.

Family visits will also be allowed and the ban on interprovincial travel has been lifted.

"Restrictions on family and social visits will also be lifted, although everyone is urged to exercise extreme caution and undertake such visits only if necessary," Ramaphosa said.

Other easing of restrictions include accommodation, hospitality venues and tours will be permitted, according to approved protocols to ensure social distancing.

Restaurants, bars and taverns will be permitted to operate, according to approved protocols as to times of operation and numbers of people.

"Alert Level 2 in terms of our risk-adjusted strategy in dealing with thepandemic means that there is a moderate Covid-19 spread of the virus, with a relatively high health system readiness," Ramaphosa explained.

There are some restrictions that remain:   

Current restrictions on international travel will remain in place

No gatherings of more than 50 people will be permitted. Among others, this includes funerals and religious events.

Spectators will not be permitted at sporting events.

The curfew will remain in place between the hours of 10pm and 4am.

Ramaphosa also announced the total number of coronavirus cases in the country now stands at 583 653 with around 105 000 recoveries.

"Fewer people are presenting with symptoms at our health facilities.We are also finding that fewer people are requiring admission in our hospitals and the demand for coronavirus tests has dropped," he said.

The number of patients hospitalised has decreased from 10 000 at the beginning of the month to around 4 000.

11 667 people died.

A ray of light is visible on the horizon.

Let us press forward as one nation, resolute, brave and courageous. 

Dlamini-Zuma extends national state of disaster by a month

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has extended the Covid-19 national state of disaster by another 30 days.

In a government notice published on Saturday, she said the lockdown has been extended for another month, until 15 September, "taking into account the need to continue augmenting the existing legislation and contingency arrangements undertaken by organs of state to address the impact of the disaster".

Level 2, booze and smokes? Ramaphosa will reveal all on Saturday evening

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on developments in South Africa's risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of Covid-19 at 20:00 on Saturday.

In a statement, the Presidency said Ramaphosa's address follows a meeting earlier this week of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and meetings on Saturday of the President's Coordinating Council and Cabinet.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation at 20h00 this evening, Saturday 15 August 2020, on developments in South Africa’s risk-adjusted strategy to manage the spread of COVID-19.

The President’s address follows a meeting earlier this week of the National Coronavirus Command Council and meetings today of the President’s Coordinating Council and Cabinet.

Follow it live on News24.

Mkhize: Daily Covid-19 cases tapering off, but risk of second wave of infections remains

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says the Covid-19 surge has happened in numbers lower than originally postulated, but that the risk of a possible second wave of infections remains real.

"If we look at the current models, they had had to be revised several times but, on all those models, what has been said was that we'll have the surge at a bit of a lower level than what was originally postulated," said Mkhize on Friday.

Covid-19: SA's recovery rate increases to almost 80%, total fatalities now at 11 556

A further 286 Covid-19-related deaths have taken the country's death rate up to 11 556, according to the latest statistics released by the Department of Health. The recovery rate has increased further to almost 80%.

Covid-19 cases jump by more than 6 000 as deaths rise by 286

South Africa's new Covid-19 cases climbed by 6 275, taking the total number of confirmed infections to 579 140.

The number of deaths has increased to 11 556, with 286 new deaths confirmed on Friday night.

"Regrettably we report a further 286 Covid-19 related deaths - 42 from Eastern Cape, 20 from the Free State, 26 from North West, 76 from Gauteng, 54 from KwaZulu-Natal, 22 in Mpumalanga, 18 from Northern Cape and 28 from Western Cape," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in his daily update.

The recoveries now stand at 461 734 which translates to a recovery rate of 79%.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 3 351 111, with 35 614 new tests conducted.

As of today,the total number of confirmed #COVID19 cases is 579 140, the total number of deaths is 11 556 and the total number of recoveries is 461 734. pic.twitter.com/SItLTft1fW

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) August 14, 2020

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has thanked the Cuban medical contingent that has been deployed in South Africa, saying they have answered the call during one of the toughest seasons experienced in modern times.

Speaking at a virtual briefing attended by Cuban medical personnel and government representatives on Friday, Mkhize said the arrival of the Cuban Brigade in late April marked a seminal moment in the "close and rich kinship" that South Africa shared with Cuba.

What benefits do Cuban doctors bring to SA? Zweli Mkhize explains

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says Cuban doctors are adding value in the battle against Covid-19 in South Africa because they are "among the best" in the world. 

The minister was reacting to a question during a virtual briefing on Friday where he provided feedback on the deployment of the "Cuban Brigade" to assist in battling the Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa. 

Teacher unions poll: Improvement in access to water, sanitiser delivery

Schools' access to water and screening essentials has improved and personal protective equipment has been delivered, according to a survey conducted by the country's five teacher unions.

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu), the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa (Naptosa), the Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie (SAOU), the Professional Educators' Union (PEU) and the National Teachers Union (NATU) conducted the survey to monitor schools' progress and their readiness to receive more pupils on 24 August. 

Cele mum on whether liquor and tobacco bans will be lifted soon

Police Minister Bheki Cele would not be drawn into speculation over whether the lockdown levels would be lowered soon and the alcohol and tobacco ban lifted.

On Friday, Cele, who released the quarterly crime statistics, told the media he had no idea about the banning or unbanning of tobacco and liquor.

Lifting of sales ban on booze considered as Dlamini-Zuma justifies prohibition in court papers

While an announcement from Cyril Ramaphosa moving the country to Level 2 lockdown - and the unbanning of alcohol and cigarettes - appears imminent, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is still justifying the ban in court papers.

On Wednesday, News24 reported the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) and Cabinet were advised to lift the ban on the sale of tobacco products and alcohol and move the country to Level 2.

Big drop in crime, but almost 300 000 people charged for breaking regulations

While all categories of crime decreased significantly from 1 April to 30 June, which has been attributed to strict lockdown regulations, almost 300 000 people were charged for breaching the regulations.

On Friday, Police Minister Bheki Cele presented the new quarterly crime statistics.

You can now buy vouchers for doctor visits - and they're surprisingly cheap

Private medical group Netcare has just announced you’ll be able to buy vouchers for GP visits.

Nearly half a million Brits in France may race to get home after new rules were announced suddenly

Hundreds of thousands of British tourists face a scramble to return from France after Boris Johnson's UK government announced that holidaymakers returning from there would have to quarantine for 14 days as of this weekend.

Covid-19 wrap: Vietnam in market for vaccine, UK quarantine change sparks scramble to return from France

Keeping you updated with the latest coronavirus news from around the world.

Russia reportedly offered the US help with a coronavirus vaccine, but the US said no

Russia offered to lend a hand to US efforts to access or develop a coronavirus vaccine, but the Americans refused it, according to a CNN report.

'It's not ethical!' Readers give their views on 'family members and state tenders'

News24 readers believe family members of government officials should not be allowed to do business with the state.

American central bankers are emerging as vocal critics of the US pandemic response

The coronavirus pandemic has decimated the US economy in just a few months. More than 56 million Americans have filed for unemployment over the last 21 weeks.

WATCH | Free meals: Langa soup kitchens use bicycles to deliver food

The Langa Community Action Network (LangaCAN) runs six soup kitchens that feed up to 10 000 people a month.

Woolworths expecting major fall in earnings on Covid-19 impact, change in accounting standards

Woolworths has flagged an expected drop in earnings of between -60% and -70% due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and a change in accounting standards.

Daniel Silke | Ramaphosa's Trifactor of Trouble

Ongoing corruption, economic decline and the Covid-19 pandemic could see Cyril Ramaphosa only serving one term, writes Daniel Silke.

Researchers find clues to why Covid-19 affects patients so differently

Covid-19 has affected many people in different ways. New researchers reveal possible reasons why this is the case.

'Unequivocally, as a paediatrician and a parent, I believe schools should be open' - Prof Glenda Gray

A continuing wave of public school closures across the country is not a good idea, for several reasons, says Professor Glenda Gray.

Covid-19: Most of SA's 260 new fatalities in Eastern Cape, recovery rate improves further

South Africa's Covid-19 death toll had climbed to 11 270 by Thursday night, with 260 new deaths reported since the last update from the Department of Health. Sixty-eight of these fatalities were recorded in the Eastern Cape.

WATCH | Inside Nasrec field hospital's red zone

Research shows that Covid-19 positive patients on oxygen are often depressed and anxious.

Smoke and mirrors: British American Tobacco SA and FITA accused of supplying the black market

South Africa's biggest headache with tobacco is not the taxes government has lost because of the lockdown ban, but rather the industry's "framing" of an illicit trade boom to try and interfere with government policy decisions when it is allegedly part of the black market, researchers and bodies against smoking said on Thursday.

SA's drop in Covid-19 cases 'very promising', says top expert - but warns against complacency

Professor Salim Abdool Karim cautioned that "we must not be complacent" during the country's decline in daily Covid-19 cases.

Coronavirus morning update: Gauteng premier urges compliance, and CTICC field hospital closing

Gauteng needs to continue conducting itself and behaving like it is still the epicentre of Covid-19 in SA; and CTICC Hospital of Hope to close as Covid-19 declines in the Western Cape.

A total of 572 865 confirmed Covid-19 cases in South Africa have been recorded. 

There has been 260 new Covid-19 related deaths- 68 from Eastern Cape, 62 in the Free State, 30 from Gauteng, 39 from KZN, 14 from Limpopo, 18 in Mpumalanga, 21 from Western Cape and 8 from Northern Cape. This brings the total Covid-19 related cumulative deaths to 11 270.

The recoveries now stand at 437 617 which translates to a recovery rate of 76%.

The total number of tests conducted to date is 3 315 497 with 20 063 new tests conducted since the last report.

Restaurants take govt to court, Western Cape asks Ramaphosa to ease restrictions

Here’s what made the headlines on Thursday

The alcohol industry has offered to assist the government in dealing with public healthcare demands, like distributing PPEs, if the alcohol ban is lifted. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation this week, and he has reportedly been advised to move the country to lockdown Level 2 and lift tobacco and alcohol bans.

Ten restaurants have argued before the courts that the government overreacted in its decision to reintroduce the alcohol ban in July. They have accused government of having on factual evidence behind the ban. The restaurants have taken the government to court to challenge the ban.

Meanwhile, the Western Cape government has appealed directly to Ramaphosa to reopen the economy to prevent further damage to the economy. The province’s Premier Alan Winde claims the poorest 10% of people lost 55% of jobs during the pandemic.

At least 11 417 people have been charged over contravening tobacco-related lockdown regulations, police have said. At least R15.6 million worth of cigarettes were seized from the start of Level 4 back on 1 May up until 6 August.

A total of 27 360 healthcare workers have tested positive for Covid-19 - the bulk of those at public facilities. There have been 240 deaths, the health department says.

Stay informed with News24

Special report | We remember those who died of Covid-19.
Hygiene | Masks, laundry, living space - the best ways to disinfect
Stay safe | Advice for keeping safe in supermarkets, schools and on public transport
FAQs | News24 answers all your questions
Checklist | These are the first symptoms
Rolling coverage | All the latest Covid-19 news in one place
News24 For Subscribers | Like our Covid-19 coverage? Sign up for a premium subscription

- Compiled by Kerushun Pillay

‘Complacency led to surge in cases in Europe', Spanish regions impose smoking ban - International Covid-19 news

A combination of eased restrictions, less strict rule-following in summer and increased testing explains the rising number of Covid-19 cases seen around Europe, the European chapter of the World Health Organisation (WHO) said Thursday.

Spain's Canary Islands said on Thursday it would ban smoking outdoors when social distancing cannot be guaranteed to curb the coronavirus, a day after Galicia took a similar measure.

Finnish health authorities recommended Thursday that people begin wearing masks in public places, after months of claiming there was insufficient evidence to justify their use.

England launched a new version of its delayed Covid-19 smartphone app on Thursday using Google and Apple contact tracing technology, as well as providing local infection data and QR code check-ins at venues.

43% of schools globally lack basic hand-washing facilities - UN

Some 43% of schools worldwide entered the Covid-19 pandemic lacking basic soap-and-water hand-washing facilities, the UN said Thursday, deeming it a key condition for schools to reopen safely.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) said that 818 million children were affected, putting them at increased risk of being infected with Covid-19 and other transmittable diseases.

Of those, 355 million went to schools which had facilities with water but no soap, while the rest had no facilities or water available for hand-washing at all, the UN agencies said in a joint report.

In the 60 countries at highest risk of health and humanitarian crises due to Covid-19, the report said three in four children lacked basic hand-washing facilities at school at the start of the pandemic.

"Global school closures since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic have presented an unprecedented challenge to children's education and wellbeing," said UNICEF executive director Henrietta Fore. "We must prioritise children's learning. This means making sure that schools are safe to reopen - including with access to hand hygiene, clean drinking water and safe sanitation.

"In the least developed countries, seven out of 10 schools lack basic hand washing facilities, the agencies said.

"Access to water, sanitation and hygiene services is essential for effective infection prevention and control in all settings, including schools," said WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

- AFP

Global death toll hits 750 000 - tally

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 750 000 people worldwide since it first emerged in China in December, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.

A total of 750 003 deaths have been recorded, out of 20 667,684 cases across the globe.

Latin America and the Caribbean was the hardest hit region with 228 572 fatalities. Almost half of the deaths reported worldwide were in the four worst hit countries: the United States (166 038), Brazil (104 201), Mexico (54 666) and India (47 033).

New UIF coronavirus payouts start next week – here's what changed

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will start to process new claims for the Covid-19 Temporal Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) from Monday, 17 August.

EXPLAINER | What we know about lockdown Level 2 - and when it may be implemented

The Cabinet and National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) have reportedly met to discuss lifting the ban on tobacco and liquor sales, as well as moving the country to lockdown Level 2.

'We've done our job, Mr President' - Premier Alan Winde appeals to Ramaphosa to reopen economy

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde appealed directly to President Cyril Ramaphosa to reopen the economy to prevent further poverty and job losses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We've done our job, Mr President," Winde said on Thursday.

Covid-19: Over 27 000 cases and 230 deaths among healthcare workers, but SA below global averages

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, over 27 000 healthcare workers have tested positive for the virus with a death toll of 230 in the sector.

Gauteng appears ready to relax lockdown regulations, according to the provincial government's advisory committee.

The committee announced this during the provincial coronavirus command council's weekly update on Thursday. According to the committee's Professor  Bruce Mellado models and infection trajectories for the province point to a decline of the infection rate.

Mellado said while it was safer to now start opening up and relaxing regulations, it needs to be done in a phased way and slowly.

He said while the province was able to handle the first significant surge from June, there was still the possibility of other surges. He said non-pharmaceutical interventions continued to be needed.

"The fundamentals for new surges and new increases and new drops are still there. As a result of that, it is our advice that non-pharmaceutical interventions need to continue. The relaxation of lockdown is a complex matter. It is very clear that whatever relaxation or whatever configuration of that relaxation takes place, they be performed gradually and in a phased way. Over confidence, unfortunately, at many times doesn’t pay off."

Isaah Mhlanga | Lessons from Covid-19: SA needs an emergency policy tool kit

The US Covid-19 relief package expires at the end of September and no agreement has been reached so far on whether there will be an extension and, if so, in what form. This risks millions of US citizens losing unemployment benefits as lawmakers remain divided.

We are back to the fiscal cliff discussions – usually referring to expiring tax cuts that would damage the economy as government becomes unable to spend -  that have become common over the past decade, and markets are getting nervous.

Though it's happening further afield, there are several lessons that investors and policymakers can take to protect investments and to prepare South Africa's response to the future crisis that have become more frequent.

Lift the ban and we will help with overburdened healthcare system - alcohol industry to government

The alcohol industry and business representatives met with Health Minister Zweli Mkhize on Wednesday, as government prepares to lift the alcohol ban.

WATCH | Healthcare workers across SA raise spirits by joining in on the 'Jerusalema challenge'

Healthcare workers from the Department of Psychiatry at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto got together to film themselves participating in the #Jerusalemachallenge as a way to promote the message that they are "stronger together".

OPINION | A doctor's plea for private healthcare reform: 'Why did my husband die like that…'

This is not just the story of a woman's fight to find out why her husband died of massive blood loss following "routine elective surgery" at a "boutique hospital" near Johannesburg on 22 October 2019.

INTERVIEW | Whitey Basson: The coronavirus graph is flattening, but corruption is going up

Billionaire businessman Whitey Basson is used to being "out and about", but he has adapted to being home-bound due to the coronavirus lockdown. He says he can at least enjoy walks on his smallholding near Stellenbosch and jokes that there is still enough supply in his wine cellar.