Publisher

A young South African woman who has recovered from the coronavirus (COVID-19) says citizens of all ages and races need to take the deadly disease seriously and obey the regulations set by government.

Ncebakazi Willie (27), from the rural village of Xhora in the Eastern Cape, got the virus when she was working on a cruise ship in March.

“The cruise ship had stopped in Italy, where the virus was starting to get very serious. There were a lot of people dying there.”

When Willie returned to South Africa, she decided that she should get tested at her local hospital.

The Future Stars Theatre Project in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, has collaborated with a Pretoria-based music recording company to produce a dance that teaches the youth about the importance of hygiene during the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Future Stars’ Roger Ntuli (38) says the choreography brings to life a song about the virus that was recorded by Chaithoo Studio artists Ria, Diya, Dinesh ‘Mr D’ Chaithoo and Prince ‘Shembry’ Sithole.

Ntuli says the nine- to 14-year-old dancers came up with the choreography and the dance is being shared virally.

The uncertainty and financial strain being placed on entrepreneurs and small business owners by the global coronavirus pandemic is being alleviated somewhat by a host of public and private support schemes.

Small business owners and informal traders are amongst the South Africans who are most heavily impacted by the lockdown. In order to get through this difficult time, these business owners can take advantage of a number of interventions that government has put in place to assist them.

SMME Debt Relief Fund

Every person will be confined to their place of residence unless required to perform an essential service, shop for essential goods and medicines, collect a social grant or seek emergency, lifesaving or chronic medical attention.

All gatherings are prohibited, except for funerals, which may not have more than 50 people. Movement between provinces, metro cities and districts is prohibited.

Categorisation of essential goods and services during lockdown

Categories of essential services shall be confined to the following services:

At midnight on Thursday, 26 March, the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster intensified measures to ensure that citizens comply with the regulations of the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Police Minister Bheki Cele said the police would work with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to enforce compliance.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has put measures in place to support learners during the national coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

Minister Angie Motshekga met with the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) to evaluate plans that will ensure learners are better informed about the virus and that they continue their education in their homes. The DBE also held a series of consultative meetings with provincial departments of education.

South Africa’s tourism sector has been grounded by the coronavirus, which has resulted in trips being cancelled or postponed.

All tourism attractions, places that offer holiday accommodation and restaurants have closed as part of the nationwide 21-day lockdown, which exempts only essential services businesses.

The measures taken to contain the spread of the virus are enforceable, says Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.