Infection numbers will rise, Health Minister warns
He said 50 219 tests have been conducted thus far, with just over 1 500 people testing positive.
LIMPOPO – “You don’t need to move from where you are. You can get your essentials where you stay.”
Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula earlier today decisively lay down the rules for taxi drivers and commuters alike, when he told taxi operators that those who flout the prescribed travelling hours, will have their vehicles impounded.
Mbalula addressed the media during a Social and Economic Cluster feedback media briefing on the country’s progress in terms of the Covid-19 pandemic.
From this evening, taxi’s may no longer travel for the purpose of beneficiaries collecting social grants. Taxis may from tomorrow only travel between 05:00 and 09:00 and again from 16:00 to 21:00. This will be done at a 70% capacity, Mbalula confirmed.
He also said the country was ready to bring back South Africans who currently find themselves in other countries. He encouraged them to approach the embassy and establish whether the airlines in the country where they are, are operational.
Mbalula furthermore elaborated on the issue of a taxi relief fund, which he said is in the planning process.
The Minister of Small Businesses, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, made reference to the fund, and told taxi operators to in the meantime, approach their banks for the rescheduling of vehicle financing payments, and bonds.
“They can also approach us as a department for debt relief while the taxi relief fund is being considered.”
Ntshavheni furthermore defined what government defines as informal traders, after regulations pertaining to trade in the informal sector had been relaxed in recent days.
“Informal traders who may legally operate are those traders selling fruit and vegetables, as well as small-scale fisherman. No one will be cooking or opening up a chisa nyama.”
Paving the way for SMME funding, the minister made it clear that registration on the government database does not automatically translate into an application for funding.
This was merely a way for government to authenticate business to ensure that no shelf companies are assisted.
She directed SMME’s to the following websites, where they can apply for funding:
She highlighted that foreign nationals are allowed to apply for trading permits, given that they have the required documents in place: a passport, special permit or asylum certificate.
In reporting back on the latest Covid-19 infections in the province, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the total number of infections has risen to 1 505.
He stressed that a trend picked up on in the Western Cape, is an increase in Covid-19 infections of patients who have no travel history. For this reason, testing and screening will be scaled up in identified areas across all provinces, he said.
“We also witnessed two more deaths. In terms of our projections, whatever number you’re seeing now, will change once we start testing in the communities.
Mkhize thanked the country’s health workers, saying he felt South Africans were in good hands.
“We have recorded 45 cases of recovery. Nine patients have died. The hospital and ICU numbers are, however, a moving target. We balance issues out as we monitor how the outbreak unfolds. Most patients are treated as out-patients.”
He did not want to speculate on projected numbers, saying these are often distorted.
“Projections are only a planning tool. Once we have the realistic numbers, we will inform you. Let’s deal with our reality and support each other in dealing with the outbreak. “
He said 50 219 tests have been conducted thus far, with just over 1 500 people testing positive.
“It still makes the effort worthwhile because testing gives us a picture of the outbreak. We learn something which we can share with the world,” he concluded.
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