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COVID-19 in South Africa: 16th April PM Edition

Before we begin we’d like to take a moment to explain what is happening here.

“Why is a technology news website covering COVID-19 news,” is a question we’re bound to receive so we’re going to address it right here.

Regulations published by Stella Ndabeni-Abraham states that “all internet sites operating within .zaDNA top level domain name must have a landing page with a visible link to www.sacoronavirus.co.za”.

As we fall under that regulation, we are required to link to the Department of Health’s website but we’re taking that a step further.

Every morning and every afternoon we will publish an update regarding COVID-19 in South Africa. For the purpose of these updates we will refer solely to the following sources of information:

We understand that folks are doing amazing things with data-viz and there are comments from experts that can help, but our goal with these updates is to provide you, our reader, with accurate information from trusted sources. If the source is not reliable, it will not be linked here.

We will also be placing a banner on our home page which you can click at any time to be directed to www.sacoronavirus.co.za.

Our latest update follows on below:

As South Africans close off the 20th day of a national lockdown there is respite on the horizon.

This follows a briefing from Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

The briefing touched on amendments to regulations introduced at the start of South Africa’s lockdown period on 27th March 2020.

Of note is the minister stating that regulations would gradually be relaxed once lockdown came to an end. This was to prompt an “orderly move towards what would be a normality” according to a report by EWN.

Smokers and drinkers will likely be disappointed to learn that the sale of cigarettes and alcohol is still banned.

There have been additions as regards what government considers an essential service.

For one, stores selling hardware products and vehicle components will be allowed to remain open. However, these stores must keep a register of those buying essential goods. Those buying essential goods from the aforementioned stores will need to sign a form stating the items they are purchasing are essential.

Mining operations will also be allowed to continue although they “must be conducted at a reduced capacity of not more than 50%” during lockdown.

Finally, those rendering Information and Communication Technology services are now considered essential workers as are artisans such as plumbers, locksmiths, electricians, glaziers and roof repair persons. Those repairing vehicles are now also classified as essential workers.

The amended lockdown regulations can be viewed here.

As of time of publication the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has not been updated.

As of 15th April there were 2 506 confirmed cases, 34 deaths and 410 recoveries relating to COVID-19. The Department of Health reported it had conducted 90 515 tests.

In order to stay up to date with the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa and abroad, we advise the following materials and platforms:

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