LIVE | Covid-19: KZN details vaccine rollout plan, more details emerge for use of ivermectin

Capetonians flock to beaches again - legally this time

Cape Town residents took advantage of the city's sunny weather on Tuesday, flocking to beaches - legally this time.

South Africans can once again visit beaches and parks after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday night.

In his address to the nation, he said public places such as beaches, dams, rivers, parks and public swimming pools would be reopened and subject to health protocols. Ramaphosa faced severe backlash following his decision to close beaches in December.

'It is back' - Troubling videos show jolly youth celebrating return of booze sales

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board (ECLB) has expressed concern over the behaviour of young people in East London, who took to the streets in celebration after President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted a month-long alcohol ban on Monday night.

The streets erupted into a carnival atmosphere immediately after Ramaphosa announced that taverns, shebeens and restaurants would again be able to sell alcohol for onsite and off-site consumption.

LIST | Here is who will get a Covid-19 vaccine in KwaZulu-Natal's first rollout phase

KwaZulu-Natal will have 163 256 vaccines for health personnel from various sectors in the province in its first phase of rollout, Premier Sihle Zikalala said on Tuesday.

"A total of 163 256 health personnel from various sectors in KwaZulu-Natal are eligible to receive vaccinations during the first phase, as announced by the president. These include 81 000 healthcare workers in the public sector and 49 000 in the private sector," he told media at the Public Works offices in Durban.

Ivermectin for use in urgent Covid-19 cases allowed before Section 21 applications are approved

Ivermectin can now be used by medical practitioners to treat Covid-19 without having to wait for the outcome of an application to use the drug - if treatment is needed urgently.

The concession was made an order of the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday after an interim settlement was reached between, on the one side, general practitioner Dr George Coetzee, two of his patients, AfriForum, and, on the other side, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra).

Booze queues: Tavern owners line up to buy stock after Ramaphosa lifts ban on alcohol sales

Tavern and restaurant owners were among those queuing outside liquor stores on Tuesday morning following the easing of the alcohol ban.

On Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that, as a result of declining daily Covid-19 infections, the ban on alcohol sales would be relaxed.

The new regulations allow for the sale of alcohol from Mondays to Thursdays between 10:00 to 18:00. The sale of alcohol by licensed premises for on-site consumption – such as restaurants and taverns – will be permitted throughout the week from 10:00 to 22:00.

Long-haul flights can operate during curfew – but passengers must provide proof of travel

South Africa’s curfew restrictions have been eased by three hours, with the latest regulations allowing “long-haul” flights to land and depart between 23:00 and 04:00. Travellers stopped during these hours will need to produce a valid boarding pass or a copy of the airline ticket as “proof of flight”.

Russia's coronavirus vaccine is 91.6% effective, a new study shows

Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine is 91.6% effective, an interim analysis of its phase 3 data has found, five months after the country approved the vaccine for use and started giving it to people.

The peer-reviewed study was published in The Lancet on Tuesday. Many of the study's authors are affiliated with Russia's ministry of health, according to The Lancet.

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Ramaphosa commits to acquiring more vaccine doses

President Ramaphosa provided an update on government's vaccine plans during his address to the nation on Monday evening.

Ramaphosa stated that in addition to the 1.5 million vaccine jabs from AstraZeneca, the government was trying to source additional doses from different manufacturers.

Despite the drop in infections, Ramaphosa also implored South Africans to continue to follow public health measures as case numbers are still high.

SA to nominate Cuban doctors for Nobel Peace Prize for helping in fight against Covid-19

Cabinet has approved a proposal to nominate the contingent of Cuban doctors brought to the country to help fight Covid-19 for the Nobel Peace Prize.

According to the president, the doctors had treated more than 38 000 people on the African continent by November 2020. In June, South Africa welcomed 217 doctors, health technologists and epidemiologists who were deployed to various parts of the country.

Level 3: A step too far or not far enough? Politicians react to easing of lockdown regulations

Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato said the easing of lockdown regulations will give the local tourism and hospitality industry a much-needed boost.

While the EFF has welcomed the relaxation of some regulations, such as curfew, they disagree with the decision to allow alcohol sales.

SA vaccine campaign calls on top US scientist Anthony Fauci and others to strengthen vaccine access

South Africa's Peoples' Vaccine Campaign has called on top US scientist, Dr Anthony Fauci, and other high-level US experts to take action against US-based pharmaceutical companies to ensure equitable access to a vaccine in South Africa and globally.

This was detailed in a letter dated 30 January and signed by Archbishop Dr Thabo Makgoba of the Cape Town Anglican Church, on behalf of the campaign.

SA’s Covid-19 infections climbed by 2 548, pushing the total cases to 1 456 309 on Monday.

There have been 235 new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 44 399.

"Regrettably, 235 deaths have been reported: Eastern Cape 59, Free State 16 , Gauteng 51, KwaZulu-Natal 10, North West 33, Northern Cape 2 and Western Cape 64 which brings the total to 44 399 deaths," Zweli Mkhize said in a statement.

Our recoveries now stand at 1 306 022, representing a recovery rate of 89%.

Re-adjusted Alert Level 3: Here’s what is changing

A drop-off in new infections means restrictions on everyday South African live can be – gradually – reduced, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced in an address to the nation on Monday night.

The Alert Level will remain at three, despite the new rules resembling what had been envisaged as Level 2, with Ramaphosa stressing that continued vigilance was important.

Ramaphosa did not say when the changes will be effective, and as usual took no questions.

That's it from us. Our late night report will be published soon, while we will have comprehensive coverage in the morning. Good night!

- Pieter du Toit

I reckon he needs more than a day to sort that out, Adriaan.

Yes, positive vibes from the president, but still vague on delivery dates and terms of any agreement.

To be fair, this is probably not the time and the place to tell the country details of negotiations, but given our immediate history, something a little bit more precise than "second quarter" would have been nice.

- Pieter du Toit

President Cyril Ramaphosa looked tired as he announced the lifting of the alcohol ban and the reopening of beaches and parks as a result of a decreasing Covid-19 infection rate.

News24 understands that Ramaphosa's day was consumed mostly by dealing with the fallout at the State Security Agency at the Zondo Commission.

Besides lifting the alcohol ban and shortening the curfew, that brings much-needed joy to the ears of restaurant owners and the alcohol industry, Ramaphosa biggest announcement was the confirmation of a vaccine deal with Pfizer for the delivery of 20 million shots in the "second quarter".

This means South Africa has now ordered more than 40 million Covid-19 vaccinations; enough to inoculate 60% - 70% of the population, that is required to achieve herd immunity.

- Adriaan Basson

Here is a recap of some of the restrictions and progress on vaccines mentioned by Ramaphosa:

The government has identified 200 facilities across the country to administer the vaccine, and health staff will be priority one.

In addition to the vaccines that have arrived, the government has secured some 12 million vaccines from the Covax facility. A further 9 million has been secured from Johnson & Johnson. Pfizer has committed 20 million vaccines.

The vaccine will be available to all in South Africa, including undocumented migrants.

Nobody will be forced to take the vaccine.

The alcohol ban has been dropped, and sale can be done from Mondays to Thursdays, from 10:00 to 18:00.The curfew hours are now from 23:00 to 04:00. Entertainment establishments must close at 22:00.Faith-based gatherings are now permitted, but cannot exceed 50 people for outdoor, and 100 for indoor venues.

Funerals still have a limit of 50 people.

Public places - beaches, dams, parks, swimming pools, will be reopened, subject to some health protocols.

Social gatherings, political events and sports gatherings are still not allowed.

The government has thrown its weight behind the Cuban Medical Brigade for the 2021 Nobel Prize.

His address tonight will be remembered only for the partial lifting of the booze ban, Pieter.

- Kyle Cowan

He should have mentioned the medicines cum vaccines the SANDF imported from Cuba and which has since gone vrot at an army base, and which cost the taxpayer a couple of million, Kyle...

- Pieter du Toit

Right Kyle, and SA paid at least a good R400 million to get them here.

- Azarrah Karrim

Also, Pieter, I am not sure how South African health care workers will feel about their Cuban counterparts being selected for such a nomination over them. The Cuban doctors provided a valuable service, but didn't local doctors, nurses and porters sacrifice just as much?

- Kyle Cowan

Not at all Pieter, Ramaphosa has only detailed a few avenues from which SA is acquiring vaccines, saying government is in advanced negotiations with suppliers, one of these suppliers could be US-based Moderna, according to unconfirmed information

- Azarrah Karrim

One of Ramaphosa's shorter family meetings, a little more than 30 minutes, Pieter. We have confirmation of the 20 million Pfizer deal, which is the biggest development around vaccines. But we are no closer to understanding when these doses will arrive, and the longer we have to wait, the stronger the risk of a third wave becomes.

- Kyle Cowan

Right, Kyle and Azarrah, takeaways? Do we have certainty about how much vaccine we're getting, and when? And also, the easing of restrictions can be reinstated at any time?

- Pieter du Toit

The president pays homage to the "Cuban Medical Brigade" and the work they have done on the continent. He says more than 3 000 Cubans medics were dispatched by that country to countries hardest hit, including South Africa. Cabinet has resolved to nominate them for the Nobel Peace Prize. The ANC government has historical ties with Cuba, and this seems to be a political statement more than anything else.

- Pieter du Toit

Sadly, if these trauma cases interfere with efforts to combat Covid-19 again Azarrah, the booze ban will be back. If we can't be responsible, we can't have nice things.

- Kyle Cowan

On that point Kyle, we saw a decrease in alcohol related hospital admissions when the booze ban was in place, I'm not sure many health workers will be rejoicing at this news.

- Azarrah Karrim

On that point Kyle, we saw a decrease in alcohol related hospital admissions when the booze ban was in place, I'm not sure many health workers will be rejoicing at this news.

- Azarrah Karrim

The jury is out on lockdown effectiveness, but there can be no doubt that when lockdown was implemented, there was an impact on the spread of Covid-19. I fear we will be counting the economic cost for many years to come, as will countries the world over.

- Kyle Cowan

The wine industry will be rejoicing: alcohol sales will recommence and be allowed Mondays to Thursday between 10:00 and 18:00.  Ramaphosa urges South Africans to use alcohol responsibly.

- Pieter du Toit

It seems to be a perennial debate Kyle, whether lockdowns work. Anti-lockdown fundamentalists stick to "no", but it seems the data doesn't bear that out, yes? Be that as it may, the economic damage lockdown level 3 has wrought has been severe. Job losses in the tourism and hospitality sector - important economic multipliers - has been enormous.

- Pieter du Toit

Just as anti-vaccine sentiment has spread, Pieter, so too has anti-lockdown sentiment. Government has faced criticism over some lockdown regulations, but the data shows that almost exactly 10 days after this latest lockdown level was implemented, key Covid-19 metrics showed a downturn.

- Kyle Cowan

No one will be forced to take the vaccine, we aim to make it available to everyone and it won't be administered in '"dark corners", Ramaphosa says. His statement is testimony to some of the many fears out there.

- Pieter du Toit

The president - not for the first time - reassuring South Africans that the vaccine has been thoroughly tested and that the products, as it arrives in the country, will be re-tested to ensure its integrity. Stunningly, rumour-mongering and disinformation remains rife. Anti-vaxxers are out in full force in SA, too.

- Pieter du Toit

To your point, Azarrah, on global supply shortages. Other countries are pushing vaccine makers to honour existing commitments, while South Africa is still finalising deals.

- Kyle Cowan

A key issue Ramaphosa notes is that SA is going to deal with the challenge of inoculating people who do not have SA citizenship and tracking this too – it’s unclear how this will be done, but a good intention.

- Azarrah Karrim

It's not enough, Pieter. I've spoken to experts who predict that, as it stands, it might take years to inoculate everyone we need to. Some of this is due to government's delayed reaction, but also due to a global vaccine shortage.

- Azarrah Karrim

No, Pieter. There are key indications that even this deal with the SII, was late in the offing and resulted in a mad scramble to rush negotiations as public pressure ramped up from the beginning of January.

- Kyle Cowan

Early days, but does this show the necessary urgency and/or sufficient progress, Kyle & Azarrah?

- Pieter du Toit

Correct Pieter, while Ramaphosa says provinces have submitted their rollout plans, News24 understands, based on interviews with all nine provinces, that none have fully completed their rollout plans - still to complete consultations with private sector or even identifying sites. They will have about 10-14 days to do this.

- Azarrah Karrim

Ramaphosa is skirting a key issue. The vaccines that arrived today, one million doses, is not enough to complete phase one of the vaccine rollout strategy. He now moves on to confirming vaccine deals. The deal with Johson and Johnson hasn't been finalised, neither has the Pfizer deal, as negotiations continue over some clauses in the contracts.

- Kyle Cowan