LIVE | Alcohol sales will be limited, no alcohol consumption in public allowed

He says: "The next few weeks will be a great test of our restraint. This year is unlike any other year we've lived before. We will have to give up short-lived pleasures to protect ourselves and others.

"I'm convinced that if we each pay our part then we can have a joyful festive season, and a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

"I wish all of you a blessed festive season."

Ramaphosa has wrapped up his address

Ramaphosa speaks on the vaccine, saying SA has applied to the WHO's Covax vaccine programme. He says, as part of this facility, it is expected SA will receive initial vaccine rollouts in the early part of next year. This will serve around 10% of the public, he says. 

Ramaphosa calls on the public to seek medical help or self-isolate if experiencing symptoms.

"I'm not a medical doctor, but [health minister] Dr Mkhize coaches me," he quips. 

"Unless we act more responsibly now, we will face a bleak new year. This season can be both festive and safe. I am asking you to keep your celebrations small.

"If you are spending time with other people, I ask that you do so outside... or at least make sure you are in a well-ventilated space."

He calls on the public to ensure that they wear protective masks, limit travel and regularly wash hands.

Ramaphosa says we have to protect the gains we have made, and work at handling the second wave.

He says more than 38 000 health workers have tested positive to date. A total of 391 health workers have died from Covid-19. "As a nation, we owe so much to these brave and dedicated people."

Ramaphosa says the national lockdown back in March was designed to curb the rise of infections to ensure hospitals are not strained.

He says a full lockdown will not serve the same purpose now, and that's why that option is not being enforced now.

He says the government has put in several measures over the past month to ensure the pandemic is dealt with. 

JUST IN | New restrictions eateries, alcohol sales

*In an attempt to curb superspreader events, Ramaphosa has enforced a longer curfew, from 23:00 to 04:00;
*Restaurants and bars have to close at 22:00;
*Drinking in public is prohibited
*Alcohol can only be sold from 10:00-18:00 between Monday and Thursday;
*This includes New Year's Eve.

He says this is to ensure the virus is curbed, but the economy does not suffer as bad a setback. 

Ramaphosa says the decision on beaches was made with the economy in mind. He says government officials involved in Covid-19 planning will have their annual leave "tempered" so they are available to make decisions. 

BREAKING | Further restrictions as of midnight are:

*Beaches are closed for the festive period (16 Dec - 3 Jan). This will apply to the entire Eastern Cape and the Garden Route;
*KZN beaches and parks are closed on 16 Dec, 25 Dec, 26 Dec, 31 Dec, 1 Jan, 2 Jan, 3 Jan;
*Stricter enforcement of existing Level 1 restrictions, including: public transport operators must ensure passengers wear masks; owners of retail outlets ensuring patrons wear masks; employers ensure workers wear masks;
*Gatherings, including religious, may not be attended by more than 100 people for indoor, and 250 for outdoor events, to curb "superspreader events". The total number of people may not exceed 50% of venue's capacity;
*All post-funeral gatherings are prohibited;

JUST IN | Ramaphosa has declared the Garden Route, Sarah Baartman as hotspots

Garden Route in the Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape’s Sarah Baartman district and Nelson Mandela Bay municipality.

Areas affected include Makhanda, Jeffreys Bay and Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape, and George, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape.

This will take into effect from midnight, indefinitely. 

Ramaphosa acknowledges that the economy will be hit harshly during the Christmas period. 

He says, however, that the country did sacrifice gatherings and religious services during the Easter period. 

"We've been here before and we can do it again. If we don't, we will greet the new year with sorry, not joy. Unless we do things differently, this will be the last Christmas for many South Africans."

Ramaphosa says: "We've got into the Christmas spirit early, and are inviting people for gatherings. This is what spreads the virus. It is our failure to abide by protocols that has brought us to the second wave.

"These protocols may not seem crucial until one of your loved ones is infected."

Ramaphosa reminds the public that it is safer to socialise with few people as opposed to large gatherings. 

"The massive rise in infections is people not observing basic, and easy-to-follow practices," adding that many cases are spread by people who don't even know they have Covid-19.

He says party venues are overcrowded, poorly ventilated and poorly santised. He says people are not wearing masks, consuming alcohol and therefore become "less careful" when protecting themselves.

Ramaphosa says the Rage festival in Ballito is a "harsh reminder" of how dangerous these gatherings are. He says nearly 1 000 youngsters from Gauteng who went to the festival tested positive.

He adds that people travelling is another concern. He says people are not observing protocols when moving between areas. "The more we travel the greater the potential for the spread of the virus."

He says the four provinces leading the second wave are: KZN, Gauteng, Western Cape and Eastern Cape.

For the first time in the pandemic, the age group worst-hit is youngsters between the ages of 15 and 19. A key contributor, he says, are social gatherings and parties.

He says the numbers are of great concern, and there is now no doubt that SA is in a second wave. 

"Given the rate at which the numbers have risen, if we do not act with urgency, the second wave will be more severe than the first."

He says the number of new cases over the past seven days has been more than 70% than that of the previous seven day period. 

It has been just 11 days since his last address.

Ramaphosa says the country has been recording much higher numbers of new cases since that address. The total number of cases is at 866 127.

Ramaphosa has begun his address...

RECAP | Ramaphosa set to announce further restrictions as Covid-19 infections rise

South Africa is seeing a sharp rise in daily Covid-19 infections. People developing so-called Covid-19 fatigue and dropping their guard against safety protocols like physical distancing and proper sanitation has been blamed for the increase.

As the festive season draws near, the finger has been pointed at "superspreader" events - a large gathering of people who are not observing any protocols. 

Today, we reported on video footage of people flouting Covid-19 rules at a music concert in Cape Town. The band, GoodLuck, apologised and cancelled some future performances. 

The situation is also desperate in KwaZulu-Natal, where Durban paramedics are reporting of a lack of space for patients at hospitals.

Meanwhile, Dirco minister Naledi Pandor has cautioned against people going overseas for the festive season, warning that they may become stranded as global travel restrictions begin to set in once again.

Rumours have circulated that President Cyril Ramaphosa may enforce restrictions or introduce curbs that once again lead to the economy being strangled. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation at 20:00

With the country on the cusp of the festive season, President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on yet more adjustments to the Covid-19 lockdown - two weeks after his last one.

Ramaphosa had in that address declared Nelson Mandela Bay SA’s first Covid-19 hotspot.

Rumours suggest the president is expected to announce some dramatic changes, such as closing beaches. Ramaphosa is said to have met with provincial premiers over the weekend to discuss further curbs.

The number of daily new infections has shot up in the past few days, and so-called superspreader events - like the post-matric Rage festivals - have been flagged as contributing to the spike.

You can follow Ramaphosa’s address live on News24.

Canada to begin Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine roll-out

Canada will begin a roll-out of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine on Monday, just days after becoming one of the first countries to approve the treatment.

The first shipment of the vaccine arrived in the country on Sunday night, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hailing the "good news".

"But our fight against Covid-19 is not over. Now more than ever, let's keep up our vigilance," he said in a tweet.

Trudeau has previously said the country will receive 249 000 initial doses of the vaccine this month, the first 30 000 doses of which are expected to have arrived by Monday.

- AFP

China reports 16 new Covid-19 cases vs 24 a day earlier

Mainland China reported 16 new Covid-19 cases on 13 December, down from 24 cases a day earlier, the country's national health authority said on Monday.

The National Health Commission said in a statement that 14 of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas. Two new locally transmitted cases were reported in Heilongjiang province, the commission said.

The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, fell to nine from 14 a day earlier.

The total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the mainland now stands at 86 741, while the death toll remained unchanged at 4 634.

- Reuters

South Korea reports 718 new coronavirus cases - KDCA

South Korea reported 718 new coronavirus cases, a drop from the record daily increase of the day earlier, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Monday.

Of the new cases, 682 were locally transmitted. The total tally is now 43 484 infections, with 587 deaths.

- Reuters

FACTBOX | Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 71.15 million, death toll at 1 608 736

More than 71.15 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1 608 736 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

- Reuters

As of today, a cumulative total of 860 964 Covid-19 cases have been reported with 7 999 new cases identified since the last report.

170 more Covid-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 94, Free State 11, Gauteng 3, Kwa-Zulu Natal 4, Northern Cape 4 and Western Cape 54. This brings the total deaths to 23 276.

Our recoveries now stand at 761 011.

US set for mass vaccine campaign as world virus toll nears 1.6 million

The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine was set to begin leaving the company's Michigan factory on Sunday, ready to be injected into the arms of millions of the most vulnerable Americans as the global death toll approached 1.6 million.

Doses will be shipped out in boxes containing dry ice that are capable of staying at -70 degrees Celsius (-94 degrees Fahrenheit), the frigid temperature needed to preserve the drug.

General Gus Perna, who is overseeing the massive logistical operation as part of the government's Operation Warp Speed, likened the moment to D-Day, a turning point of World War II.

"I am absolutely 100 percent confident that we are going to distribute safely, this precious commodity, this vaccine, needed to defeat the enemy Covid," he told reporters.

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the nation tomorrow on the latest lockdown measures and South Africa’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Tyrone Seale, Acting Spokesperson to the President said in a statement.

The address follows meetings today, Sunday 13 December 2020, of the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC), and a special sitting of Cabinet.

The exact time of the President’s address will be announced on Monday, 14 December.

'A little person in history': the adolescents who signed up to test the Covid-19 vaccine

Two adolescent siblings in the United States who signed up for a coronavirus vaccine trial said they did it because they wanted to make their own small contribution to history.

Nathan Williams, 17, and his sister Delilah, 12, signed up for the trial after spending months in pandemic isolation. Their mother, Melanie Williams, is a nurse and hospital administrator who works on a ward dealing with Covid-19 patients.

EXPLAINER | Where are we in the Covid-19 vaccine race?

Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE received US regulatory authorisation for their Covid-19 vaccine on Friday, making it the first inoculation against the new coronavirus to get a regulatory green light in the United States.

US pharmaceutical company Moderna is ahead of the pack at this point. It was next to release full data analysis for a late-stage trial on 30 November, with its vaccine showing a 94.1% efficacy rate. FDA advisers are due to review it on 17 December and the EMA will do so by 12 January.

South Korea reported 1 030 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, a record high for a second day in a row as the country struggles to tackle a third wave of infections.

The latest Covid-19 figures released by government on Saturday night shows infections have increased by 7 882 which brings the total number of infections to 852 965. There have been 154 new deaths, 97 of which were in the Eastern Cape and 31 in the Western Cape. 

EXPLAINER | US authorises first Covid-19 vaccine - who is the first in line for a shot?

The US Food and Drug Administration authorized the first Covid-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE, making it available for emergency use to patients aged 16 and older.

In clinical trials, the vaccine was 95% effective at preventing illness and showed no short-term safety issues.

Trump: Covid-19 vaccine will be administered in the US 'in less than 24 hours'

President Donald Trump said the US will start administering the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine "in less than 24 hours," after the Food and Drug Adminstration granted it an emergency use authorisation late on Friday.

"The first vaccine will be administered in less than 24 hours," Trump said in a televised address released on Twitter.

"Through our partnership with FedEx and UPS, we have already begun shipping the vaccine to every state and zip code in the country," he said, adding that governors would decide who would receive the shots first in their states.

"We want our senior citizens, health care workers and first responders to be first in line," said Trump. "This will quickly and dramatically reduce deaths and hospitalizations."

South Africa's coronavirus cases went up by 8 319 on Friday, bringing the total to infections to 845 083.

There are 205 more deaths, taking the tally up to 22 952.

"Regrettably, 205 more Covid-19 related deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 96, Free State 10, Gauteng 20, KwaZulu-Natal 20, Limpopo 2, Northern Cape 15 and Western Cape 42," said Health Minister Zweli Mhkize.

A total of 5 779 544 tests have been completed with 44 074 new tests conducted since the last report.

Recoveries now stand at 758 373.

#COVID19 Statistics in SA as at 11 December.

Use the COVID Alert SA app to protect yourself, your loved ones and your community. Start using this privacy preserving app today. Add your phone to the fight! Download the Covid Alert SA app now! https://t.co/8YKEqaiiRF pic.twitter.com/mM8TAs5R2y

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 11, 2020

#HealthcareHeroes
We’re in a second wave of #Covid19. Our #healthcareheroes continue to do their best to protect us from the virus. Maggie Mogotsi, a general worker at CH Baragwanath, tells us about her #Covid19 routine. pic.twitter.com/nASEJHnQoI

— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) December 11, 2020

How and where to get tested for Covid-19 in South Africa

As during the first wave of infection which peaked in July 2020, both government and healthcare practitioners are urging South Africans to get tested if they have reason to suspect they have contracted the coronavirus and, if positive, self-isolate to avoid transmitting the virus. 

More Americans have now died from Covid-19 than the number of US soldiers killed during World War II

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the US saw 291,557 battle deaths during WWII. As of Thursday evening, there have been 291,754 Covid-19 deaths in the US, based on data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The coronavirus pandemic had killed more Americans than the Vietnam War by late April.

SA to launch digital Covid screening for international travel - here’s how it will work

International travellers entering South Africa will soon be able to complete a digital travel health questionnaire (THQ) before arriving at a point of entry. This electronic screening programme, to be launched on Tuesday 15 December 2020, is aimed at easing congestion at both airports and land entry points.

Covid-19: Cape Town's Muizenberg High School cancels matric ball out of safety concerns

A high school in Cape Town says it is no longer going ahead with its planned matric farewell in the interest of public safety.

Muizenberg High School cancelled their farewell scheduled to take place on 15 December due to the secondary impact that the event could have on the health and safety of the public.

"The school is not going ahead with the event," the school's principal Leonie Jacobsen told News24.

Govt warns about Covid-19 vaccine misinformation amid comments from Mogoeng

Government has warned against a "fake news" narrative as the world searches for vaccines to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Government spokesperson Phumla Williams said government had made a commitment that it will participate in all initiatives seeking a vaccine, adding that government wants to make sure when a vaccine arrives, South Africa benefits from it.

God must destroy 'mark of the beast' Covid-19 vaccines - Mogoeng defends his controversial prayer

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng has defended his controversial prayer that any Covid-19 vaccine that was "of the devil" be destroyed.

An irate Mogoeng said he didn't follow trends on Twitter.

"I honestly pay very little attention to the media. I don't know if people honestly misunderstood what I said, or deliberately misunderstood what I said."

Covid-19 wrap | US experts vote to approve vaccine, Singapore gets green light for saliva testing

- US experts voted on Thursday to recommend granting emergency approval for Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine.

- Singapore has approved Advanced MedTech Holdings' Covid-19 kit for use in testing saliva from deep within the throat.

- The head of the EU drug regulator said the agency's work on assessing Covid-19 vaccines had not been affected by a cyber attack.

SA companies may require staff to be vaccinated before returning to work – but it’s complicated

Businesses exploring mandatory vaccination policies to ensure the health and safety of their workforces will need to tread carefully: although employers have an obligation to ensure a safe workspace, employees have the right to security and control over their bodies – and that tension could end up in the Constitutional Court.

Covid-19: Eastern Cape taking strain, but Mabuyane says another hard lockdown is 'not an option'

The Eastern Cape has the highest number of Covid-19 fatalities in the country, but placing it under a hard lockdown is not an option.

Such a lockdown would destroy the economy again, according to Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, who was responding on Twitter to a call for the Eastern Cape to be placed on Level 5 lockdown.

South African pharma regulator to fast track vaccine applications         

South Africa intends to fast track regulatory approval for Covid-19 vaccines and expects the first applications within a fortnight, pharmaceutical regulator SAHPRA told Reuters, as the country faces a second wave of infections.

South Africa is the continent's hardest-hit country with more than 828 000 confirmed coronavirus cases and over 22 000 deaths.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday that four of the country's nine provinces were driving a resurgence in cases. The government hopes to receive its first vaccines from the COVAX global vaccine distribution scheme in the second quarter of next year.

"SAHPRA will prioritise all Covid-19 applications and will apply an expedited approach to health products, including vaccines," said Yuven Gounden, spokesperson for the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority.

The expedited method will include a "rolling review approach" where vaccine candidate evaluation is done as data becomes available, he added.

The regulator will rely on guidance from the World Health Organisation and work done by international counterparts, such as European and US pharmaceutical regulators, to avoid repeating work already done that could delay approvals.

"We expect the first vaccine applications in the next week or two," Gounden said.

Formed in 2018, SAHPRA is working to reduce a backlog of approvals for medicines inherited from its predecessor, the Medicines Control Council.

Reuters

Covid-19 wrap | Virus scare aboard Singapore cruise a false alarm, Canada approves first vaccine

- A passenger who tested positive for Covid-19 aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise from Singapore has been found not to have the virus.

- Canada approved its first Covid-19 vaccine and said initial shots will be delivered and administered across the country starting next week.

- American regulators were due to meet Thursday to assess the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency approval.

Solved: SA company says it can keep Pfizer’s vaccine cold for 30 days without electricity

A South African company says it has the solution to a major headache around Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine: keeping it cold.

The Pfizer shot has to be kept ultra-cold, which means airlines have had to be granted special permission to use large quantities of dry ice, while local companies with refrigerated transport capacity try to figure out how to get cold payloads to rural reaches.

Covid R350 grants: Millions rejected, but only 10 people are dealing with all the appeals

The Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, recently detailed the depth of understaffing at Sassa, revealing that there was no dedicated team assigned to handle the appeal process.

More than 2.5 million applications for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant are rejected every month, with one in every three claimants failing to meet the fund’s stringent requirements.