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The Gauteng Legislature has closed for the rest of the week after two police officers stationed there tested positive on Sunday.

The legislature has now called on members of the public who have visited the building in the past two weeks to get tested for the virus.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the office of the Speakers said the two officers’ results came back positive on Sunday after they were tested last Tuesday. Both officers were posted at the legislature’s control room.

“The SAPS Members stationed at the GPL were all called for testing at the Provincial Command Centre on 2nd and 3rd June 2020.

SAPS received their results on 7th June and immediately relayed the information to GPL,” read the statement.

The legislature emphasised that the officers had shown no COVID-19 symptoms and their body temperature was normal.

The GPL main building and the control room where the Officers were posted was immediately closed pending a thorough sanitisation, which was conducted by SAPS on Monday.

“The GPL calls on all Members, Officials and any Member of the Public who has been in the vicinity of the GPL building in the past 14 days to contact the institution in order to undergo testing to be carried out by the Gauteng Department of Health,” the legislature said.

The legislature premises are closed to all public and staff until 14 June 2020.

The work of the institution will continue virtually as it has been the case during lockdown alert level 4 and 5.

The Compensation Fund has received over 200 claims from health workers as cases of COVID-19 continue to rise.

“Already, the Compensation Fund has seen 212 COVID-19 related claims with the largest number coming from KwaZulu-Natal having registered 76 claims. The Fund has accepted liability of 67 of those claims; two have been repudiated while seven are awaiting adjudication,” said the department in a statement on Monday.

The Western Cape is the second biggest applicant with 75 claims with 41 of those accepted and 34 awaiting adjudication.

Gauteng received 30 claims and half of those have been accepted, four repudiated and 11 are awaiting arbitration.

The Eastern Cape has registered 28 cases of which 26 have been accepted, one has been repudiated and another awaits arbitration.

Meanwhile, in Limpopo, two claims have been registered of which one has been accepted and the other repudiated. Mpumalanga had only one case which has been accepted.

The majority of those who have been affected are female accounting for 89% of claims received.

According to Fund Commissioner, Vuyo Mafata, most of those affected are nurses in the private sector with 65 in KwaZulu-Natal, 26 in Western Cape and 18 in Gauteng.

A further 42 claims have been lodged through the Mutual Association of which one has been accepted, seven repudiated and 34 are pending adjudication.

“When we say we have accepted the claim as a valid occupational injury or disease, it means we accept responsibility for the costs related to the claim, that is medical aid costs and disability costs,” Mafata explained.

When a matter is repudiated, it means the Fund has accepted the claim as a valid occupational injury or disease and will not take responsibility for the costs related to the claim.

“Sometimes we do not accept liability which means we have repudiated a claim but may still reconsider it if additional information is submitted to support the claim,” he added.

Meanwhile, when a claim is pending adjudication, this means that the claim has been received, but no decision has been made due to outstanding information or it has not been attended to yet.

Non-compliance in workplaces

Inspector-General Aggy Moiloa has lamented the low level of compliance with health and safety protocols since the commencement of the COVID-19 lockdown.

“There is no significant change whatsoever in the percentage of compliance since the last inspection,” she said.

Over this period, there have been 4 306 inspections conducted with 2 374 workplaces complying. This works out to 55%, which translates to 45% of employers not complying.

“In the public sector non-compliance is at 54% which is unacceptable. In the private sector, compliance is at 57%, which still means non-compliance at 43% is unacceptable,” she added.

“Employers have a legal duty to ensure that all workers operate under conditions of safety especially with rising cases of coronavirus afflictions.”

She said non-compliance has direct effects on presenting future cases of compensation.

UIF pays R20 billion since lockdown

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), which is an entity of the department, has already paid over R20 billion since April, benefitting 3 517 346 workers since lockdown.

This includes some payments for May claims that currently stand at just over R2 billion.

“The figures also reflect an increase in direct payment to workers which now stands at 133 988 being paid directly an amount of R594 million. These workers’ claims were submitted by 9 747 employers,” the department said.

On the other hand disbursements to domestic workers have increased to just under R100 million which has been paid out to 25 074 workers represented by 15 014 workers.

“The UIF however, is still concerned about a high number of undeclared workers on whose behalf employers are putting in claims. In the latest round of claims, employers have claimed for at least 76 599 workers who do not appear on the database for benefit payment of R325 million.”

In April, the UIF received applications of 697 418 workers who did not appear on its database from 113 080 employers and had payments been made, they would have netted close to R3-billion in relief benefit payments.

“This is a serious cause for concern and we appeal to employers to help the UIF to be able to reconcile these claims for these workers against our database,” said UIF Commissioner Teboho Maruping.

The department deals with issues relating to compensation for injury or disease contracted on duty; workplace inspections for health and safety; unemployment insurance; the conciliation, mediation and arbitration of workplace conflicts and productivity.

“We are the centre of government’s response to the ill effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond,” the department said.

Schools in Gauteng recorded an 85% attendance of learners and educators for the first day of reopening of schools on Monday.

On Monday, Gauteng Education (GDE) MEC Panyaza Lesufi provided an update of the first day of schools reopening since the country went into lockdown on 27 March 2020, to curb the spread of COVID-19.

On educator attendance, Lesufi said most districts reported no problems with attendance also estimated at over 85% with the absence of some teachers attributed to them having comorbidities.

“On comorbidities, we have noticed some absence of educators last week and today, due to having underlying conditions,” he said.

The MEC appealed to all educators to comply with the guidelines by contacting the school principal and district for clarity on whether their application is approved and not just stay away.

“A number of teachers who have not attended claim to have comorbidities but they have not applied to work from home. A number of teachers submitted medical reports without application or filling in a sick leave forms,” said Lesufi.

According the provincial department, 11 schools where deemed not to be ready to open on Monday.

“Reports from districts show that two of these schools were opened successfully. The remaining schools did not open mainly due to infrastructure issues which are currently being addressed,” said the MEC.

In cases where the department is unable to resolve challenges immediately, Lesufi said the department is using alternative measures including temporary relocation of learners to neighbouring schools.

COVID-19 cases

A number of cases of COVID-19 positive teachers were reported by the Department of Health. In the main, these cases arose prior to schools reopening for teachers.

“Currently we have recorded 39 COVID-19 positive, from 38 schools and 38 cases under investigation,” said the MEC.

To assist with screening at schools, the provincial department recruited COVID-19 brigades many of whom are in the process of being deployed to schools.

Lesufi said the brigades are an additional resource to schools but that other personnel have been assigned to deal with screening and other issues.

Enock Mpianzi

Meanwhile, Lesufi confirmed that the family of Enock Mpianzi through their attorney claimed for about R10 million for compensation.

Mpianzi lost his life when a makeshift boat built by him and his school mates capsized during a river rafting exercise during a school orientation camp in Brits, North West.

Lesufi said the department had no appetite to oppose the claim, adding that the department’s legal team will engage them accordingly.

South Africa recorded its deadliest 24 hours with 82 new COVID-19 deaths reported on Monday.

The Western Cape, which has the highest infection rate, reported 55 deaths, followed by the Eastern Cape with 26 and one death in KwaZulu-Natal.

Meanwhile, the number of COVID-19 cases has reached the 50 000 mark, with 2 594 new cases reported, while the number of deaths surpassed 1 000.

“The cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is 50 879, the total number of deaths is 1 080 and the recoveries to date are 26 099,” Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize said.

The Eastern Cape has overtaken Gauteng and now has the second-highest infection rate sitting at 6 341 and 6 258 respectively.

Meanwhile, KwaZulu-Natal has 3 175 cases, North West 580, Free State 373, Limpopo 244, Mpumalanga 183, Northern Cape 118 while 39 cases are unknown.

The Minister has extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and thanked the health professionals for taking care of the departed.

In addition, the country has tested 953 059 people with 22 995 tests conducted since the last report.

South Africa’s recovery rate stands at 26 099 people.

Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, will this morning visit the Tshwane University of Technology, Ga-Rankuwa Campus to assess its state of readiness for the phased return of students to the university.

The Minister’s visit follows a media briefing on 23 May 2020 in which the department announced COVID-19 level 3 lockdown health and safety measures and subsequent regulations.

During the briefing, Nzimande announced a phased reopening of campus activities in the entire Post School Education and Training sector as it continues to implement a risk adjusted strategy.

Under level 4, the sector has provided for a controlled return of final year students in programmes requiring clinical training, starting with medicine (MBChB) and the phasing-in of all other programmes, such as Nursing, Dental and Veterinary Sciences.

The department said that medical students have been returning to clinical training platforms from 11 May 2020, and other final year students in other programmes requiring clinical training began returning from 1 June 2020, when level 3 lockdown started.

“Universities have already identified students who will be returning to campuses at various levels of the lockdown and universities have already made provision for the necessary health and safety measures, permissions and permits for the students to travel back to campus,” the department said.

After the visit to the university, Nzimande will this afternoon hold a virtual media briefing on progress in the implementation of COVID-19 measures.

At the briefing, the Minister will focus on Post School Education and Training (PSET) institution readiness, implementation of Health plans, electronic devices and data for students, as well as Student Funding Policy and the N+ Rule (the number of years that the student has been registered at any tertiary institution of higher learning in South Africa).

The Department of Employment and Labour has closed two labour centres as one employee at each office has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Eastern Cape provincial office in East London and the Vredenburg Labour Centre in the Western Cape Province have been closed as of Monday.

“To ensure that service delivery is not hindered, the department’s officials will work remotely from home and will only come to the office in shifts with no interaction with the public due to lockdown regulations,” said the department.

The temporary closure of the offices is intended to allow all workers who may have been in contact with the infected officials to be monitored and for the offices to be decontaminated.

The Chief Directors: Provincial Operations: Nomfundo Douw-Jack in the Eastern Cape and Mawele Ntamo in the Western Cape confirmed that the officials have interacted with other employees who were working at the same section.

The close contacts of the officials have been advised accordingly and will now be quarantined for a period of 14 days before coming back to work.

Labour centres across the country opened on Monday and are following the necessary precautionary measures, including temperature screening, maintenance of social distancing and use of personal protective equipment to ensure that staff and clients are protected from infecting each other.

It is expected that the two offices, the Vredenburg Labour Centre and the Eastern Cape provincial office, will open to the public on the 10 and 12 June 2020 respectively.

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has urged the public against bogus and potentially harmfully personal protective equipment (PPE).

The Bureau said it has uncovered that numerous PPEs were being sold as ‘SABS Approved’.

“Consumers are being duped into using potentially harmful PPE,” said SABS Lead Administrator Jodi Scholtz in a statement.

Urging the public to be vigilant and to buy quality products through legitimate delivery channels, Scholtz said while the public is desperate to purchase the products, it is important that these are legitimate.

The products in demand and under scrutiny include masks, thermometers, sanitisers, disinfectants, gloves, and other equipment in order to protect themselves and their families against COVID-19.

“Products, even those that are SABS Approved need to be used for the intended purpose in order to be effective in the fight against the infection. SABS understands that there are increasingly new innovations that are emerging that claim to solve the myriad of health issues that the world is facing and while they could be life-saving, all innovative products must be subjected to testing to ensure that it is safe to use,” said Scholtz.

Spray tunnels/booths and ingestion of sanitisers

Scholtz said SABS has not conducted any tests or developed any national standard (SANS) for spray booths/tunnels nor any of the mechanisms used to spray disinfectants.

“There are currently no chemicals that are considered safe for use for disinfection via spray booths or tunnels,” she said.

She warned that uncertified products and products that are not used for their intended purpose could be dangerous for a number of reasons. These include adverse reactions to humans and the environment, the harmful effects of unidentified ingredients, bacterial and microbial impurities as well as simply just not being suitable for use on humans.

Thermometers

SABS currently does not conduct any temperature tests on thermometers that are intended for use on humans. This falls within the ambit of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA). The calibration of thermometers can be done in laboratories that have been calibrated by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) and SABS currently does not offer this service.

Masks and shields

She said there are various categories of masks and shields that can be used in the fight against COVID-19. Currently all manufacturers of surgical masks are registered with SAHPRA. There are six national standards that provide masks for various uses.

SABS is able to conduct tests against some of these SANS and where there is limited capacity, utilises laboratories that fall within its partnership agreements.

“Testing and certification of products, especially PPE is going to become increasingly important as South Africa deals with COVID-19.”

The SABS said it has the capability to develop South African National Standards (SANS) for products as well as offer testing and certification of products against those standards.

“In addition and based on the critical needs, tests can be conducted against specific requirements and via a consultative process to develop the requirements,” explains Scholtz.

The SABS advised companies procuring PPE to consult the Bureau on the standard and requirements that PPE should meet so that it can be included on tender documents and subjected to inspection.

“This will ensure that the products received are functional and meet the requirements for protecting South Africans. SABS also offers consignment inspection services to guard against defective product being delivered and to ensure that there is an independent voice verifying the PPE being procured,” the Bureau said.

Some Driving License Testing Centres (DLTC) and the Motor Vehicle Registering Authority (MVRA) in Gauteng have reopened their doors while others will do so next week.

Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, said priority will be given to applicants who have confirmed bookings while walk-ins remain barred.

He said only applicants with valid online booking reference numbers will be allowed onto the premises of these centres.

“This is another measure we have put in place to ensure that customers are serviced whilst adhering to social distancing protocols,” said the MEC on Monday.

The following DLTCs are currently operational with others expected to resume services next week:

• Sandton (Johannesburg)
• Akasia (Tshwane)
• Bronkhorstspruit (Tshwane)
• Centurion (Tshwane)

Mamabolo encouraged those visiting the centres to wear facemasks, adding that entry will be denied to those not wearing masks.

He said all driver’s licences, learner’s licences, motor vehicle licence discs, temporary driver’s licences, temporary permits, roadworthy certificates and professional driver’s permits that expired during the lockdown period would be deemed valid and have been extended for 90 days from 1 June 2020.

“It is important to also note that over 100 Post Offices are open for motor vehicle license disc renewal across the province,” said Mamabolo.

Motor Vehicle Registering Authorities currently (MVRA) operating:

• Sandton MVRA, DLTC and Mini Bulk
• Roodepoort MVRA and Mini Bulk
• Dube MVRA and Mini Bulk; and
• Wemmer Super Bulk
• Akasia MVRA
• Bronkhorstspruit MVRA
• Centurion MVRA
• Saambou Bulk Centre
• Specialised Licensing Bulk Centre

Centres expected to reopen next week:

• Bedfordview DLTC
• Alberton DLTC
• Kempton Park DLTC
• Tsakane DLTC
• Nigel DLTC
• Brakpan DLTC
• Edenvale DLTC
• Kagiso DLTC
• Kliptown DLTC
• Xavier DLTC
• Maponya Mall DLTC
• Mabopane DLTC

Reopening of Cape Town DLTCs

Meanwhile, eleven Cape Town DLTCs are expected to reopen on Tuesday, 09 June 2020.

The confirmed list of DLTCs that will be operational includes Atlantis, Bellville, Brackenfell, Fish Hoek, Gallows Hill, Gordon’s Bay, Joe Gqabi, Kuilsriver, Milnerton, New Ottery and Parow.

“All other DLTCs are slated for reopening on 15 June 2020, but confirmation of the date will be communicated in the coming days,” said the City of Cape Town in a statement.

Initially, only certain services will be available at the centres, including the collection of driving license cards.

“No new bookings will be accepted until further notice. The DLTCs are contacting applicants directly to reschedule appointments for those that were previously booked on the system,” it said.

The city said people who are waiting to collect their new driving license cards, are being contacted telephonically to collect these documents, when they are ready for collection.

It is the first day of school for Grade 7 and 12 learners across the country under the COVID-19 learning environment – complete with face masks, screening and social distancing protocols.

On the first day of the reopening of schools, Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga visited various schools across Gauteng to oversee their implementation of the COVID-19 health and safety regulations.

While the Minister was yet to receive feedback on the national reopening, she expressed her satisfaction at the adherence to protocol at the schools she visited, among them was Phulong Secondary School in the East Rand.

“I’m satisfied that most schools have really gone out of their way and also visually demonstrated or illustrated how the social distancing is supposed to operate throughout the school with markings,” said the Minister.

Motshekga said while the reopening of schools was off to a smooth start, if any COVID-19 symptoms are detected at the point of screening or during learning, strict adherence to protocols must be followed.

“As soon as we detect a high temperature the matter really becomes a health issue and the Health Department helps us.

“Just like in shops or factories, schools will be treated with the same strict adherence to health protocols. Teachers have been initiated, principals know what to do, senior school managers have been trained, learners have been inducted and that is why we say no teaching can take place before any induction,” she said.

The first week of June, saw teachers undergo induction and orientation in preparation to welcome learners. During that week, Moshekga said the sector gained some experience on what to do should a teacher test positive.

“We already have an experience where a number of our teachers tested positive last week when it was teachers only. Again the health protocols kick in, the Health Department takes over and the school like in any other institution closes for decontamination and the Health Department gives us the go ahead to open or not to open,” she said.

Home schooling

For anxious parents, the Basic Education Department has availed home schooling as an option provided where a programme is set up for learners.

“Children who have underlying comorbidities, as a sector we have an obligation to work out a plan with the parents so it is not a choice not to come. It is the health challenges that a learner has and therefore we have to make an arrangement with the principal.

“If a parent is anxious, it is a different story. The first step we have said they should go for home schooling but clearly a number of parents have come back to us to say it’s a very difficult one,” she said.

According to the directions in the gazetted regulations, parents who choose not to send a learner to school, must apply to the Head of Department, who may exempt a learner either entirely, partially or conditionally, from compulsory school attendance, if it is in the best interests of the learner.

A parent who chooses not to send their child to school is also obliged to apply for home education.

With the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increasing at a startling rate in South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged the public not to be alarmed but to prepare to deal with an upsurge in numbers.

This comes as the country on Sunday confirmed 2 312 new cases, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 48 285.

“During the course of this coming week, we can expect that the total number of cases will pass the 50 000 mark. Sadly, we are also likely to record the 1 000th death from this devastating disease,” President Ramaphosa said in his weekly letter on Monday.

The President expressed his worry at the rising figures.

“Like many South Africans, I too have been worried as I watch these figures keep rising. While these numbers are broadly in line with what the various models had projected, there is a big difference between looking at a graph on a piece of paper and seeing real people becoming infected, some getting ill and some dying.”

He said over the coming weeks, as infections continue to rise, the country should “remember that we are not helpless”.

“We should remember one simple, but fundamental, message: Don’t be alarmed. Be prepared,” he said.

He said the country could draw comfort from the fact that the nationwide lockdown was achieving its objective in delaying the spread of the virus.

“It gave us time to prepare our health facilities and interventions for the expected spike in infections,” he said. “The lockdown was not only necessary but it has also given us all time to adjust to living with the virus.”

The President said that while he was pleased to see that a high percentage of South Africans were observing hygiene protocols, they should avoid contact with other people and wear facemasks whenever in public.

He highlighted that social distancing in public places remains a challenge.

“We need to focus our attention on ensuring that we adhere to social distancing practices because it is through close contact between people that the virus will be spread,” he said.

The President also saluted business, government departments, schools and other institutions who used the lockdown to prepare for a gradual return to more-or-less normal activity.

“They have been putting stringent health protocols in place, thoroughly cleaning and sanitising their premises and are ensuring that people are regularly screened for COVID-19 symptoms. This is all necessary to ensure that we save lives and protect livelihoods, he said.

Western Cape

In the letter, the President also expressed satisfaction at the preparations the Western Cape is making to contain infections and to ensure that there are enough beds, staff and medical supplies to accommodate the rapidly increasing number of people needing hospitalisation.

The province is the country’s epicentre of the virus.

“We must mobilise and deploy all the necessary resources we have in the country. We need an integrated strategy that brings together the national, provincial and local spheres of government,” said President Ramaphosa.

The President said South Africa could slow down the spread of the disease if all measures are taken to flatten the infection curve.

Rising numbers

“As we watch the number of infections rise further – probably far faster than most of us imagined – we should be concerned, but not alarmed. That is because we have the ability, as individuals, communities and as a country, to limit the impact of the disease on our people.

“Although we have made progress, we still need to do much more in the coming weeks to meet the expected demand,” he said.

He said each household should look at how they can protect elderly people and those with underlying conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, Tubercolosis or HIV.

“Do plan for the possibility that someone in the family may become infected and whether you will be able to isolate them from family members until they are better. If not, find out where the closest government quarantine site is. You should also plan ahead for what to do if someone gets sick,” said the President.