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Government has established a task team for stakeholders in the post school and education training sector.

“We have established a COVID-19 Team comprising of Universities South Africa (USAF), South African College Principals Organisation (SACPO), Higher Health and Health Experts to coordinate sector response and collate institutional case management reports,” Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande said.

Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday in Tshwane, the Minister said the team, will be led by Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Buti Manamela.

The department has requested all universities and colleges to complete an updated survey on their information technology capabilities for offering online learning.

“Institutions have been requested to complete the survey by Thursday. The department, together with the Tertiary Education and Research Network of South Africa (TENET), will analyse the survey results on 27 March 2020, and identify any institutions that require immediate assistance to enhance their capability.”

“In the meantime, the South African Institute for Distance Education has met with USAF to assist in mapping out the various tools institutions may be able to use to deliver online learning. [This is] taking into account the different capabilities that different institution have and the devices students may have access to,” the Minister said.

This work will assist in putting plans in place at an institutional level, for ensuring continued delivery of programmes after the recess that commenced on 18 March 2020.

Earlier this month, Nzimande announced the closure of all higher institutions of learning as part of the country’s bid to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“As a department we are engaging with all our universities and colleges on pursuing online learning modalities where possible, whilst also looking at the possibility of using readily available study guides for the trimester and semester programmes, and a structured catch-up programme for the annual National Curriculum (vocational) programmes, “said Nzimande at the briefing.

Measures put in place

All institutions of higher learning have implemented an early recess, with students having had to  vacate residences by 20 March.

Meanwhile, international students are being treated on a case-by-case basis. However, all students who cannot return home are being accommodated in residences.

“Some universities are allowing students with exceptional circumstances to stay on campus together with international students who cannot vacate. Some universities are assisting students with financial difficulties to get home,” he said.

In addition, National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances are being paid to students.

“Preparations for short to medium strategies, including online study are underway, at most institutions. Research continuity is being put in place at most institutions. Only essential staff are on campus,” the Minister said.

Most academic staff are working from home and only essential service staff are in place on campuses.

Support staff are at work on a rotational basis to limit contact and the spread of the virus.

All universities will assess the situation at the end of the month and make decisions on when students may return to campuses.

Students from China

The Minister further announced that all 76 students who were evacuated from Wuhan in China, have all tested negative for Covid-19.

“They are doing their final tests this weekend, where after they will be reunited with their families,” the Minister said.

The department is working with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to compile a list of all South African students abroad who are publicly and privately funded.

A number of existing drugs are being re-purposed and tested for efficacy of the potential treatment for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Preliminary work on the development of vaccines has started with University of Cape Town (UCT), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Biovac. Progress is expected in over 18 months,” said Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande.

Addressing a media briefing on Tuesday in Tshwane, the Minister said current trials happening internationally coordinated by the World Health Organization are being monitored.

“South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis (SACEMA) A is currently engaging with other sources of data and modelling groups, refining their assumptions with a view to produce an updated model of the spread of the epidemic over time by Friday,” Nzimande said.

The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has already availed R12 million and will redirect an additional R30 million.

“It has become urgent to locally manufacture reagents for testing kits. These are currently being imported and the lockdown may threaten access to supply,” the Minister said.

The Department of Science and Technology has negotiated the repurposing of various facilities and labs to respond to the outbreak.

The entities in line to assist include Biovac, Centres of Excellence in TB research, Centre of Proteomic and Genomic Research (CPGR) and Afrigen Bio.

“Discussions are on to facilitate accreditation of some of the facilities to produce reagents. The team will be discussing budget requirements this afternoon,” he said.

Role of data and evidence

The Minister said one of the areas that have emerged where the National System of Innovation (NSI) can make significant impact with respect to the COVID-19 crisis, is to enhance the role of data and evidence in supporting the response to the COVID-19 emergency.

Currently, key decision-making processes including work being done by the Department of Health, the Presidency, as well as the National Command Centre has drawn on the existing data and evidence capabilities of the NSI.

“There is now widespread agreement on the need for a central situational awareness platform which will provide a single view of the reality. The technology to rapidly deploy such a situational awareness platform exist at the CSIR (the CMORE system) and is now being customized to service the COVID-19 response,” the Minister said.

The facility is currently being established at the CSIR but can easily be moved should this be required.

Depending on permissions granted to certain users, parts of the data can be accessed remotely.

“The CMORE team is currently getting a sense of the information requirements of key users, starting with the Department of Health so as to demonstrate how the CMORE system works.

“The functionality of the CMORE system is designed to service a wide range of users, whether these are in a decision hierarchy as well as different types of first responders (health workers, police, the army),” Nzimande said.

He said an immediate functionality requested by the Department of Health for activation is to provide the 3 000 health workers involved in tracking and testing to be able to transmit essential information to a central point via their cell phones.

The CSIR team has been requested to have a facility that can be shown to people in the next 24 hours as this will provide the impetus for decision needs to be codified and share with the team for implementation.

“Through complementary processes by the DSI and the Department of Health, the research community specifically the modelling community has been brought together for enhanced cooperation.

“The researchers are currently splitting into various work streams bringing together like capabilities taking into account that different models exist. Over the next 48 hours, the nature of the work streams, what information they provide, to whom, and at what frequency, and how is quality control and peer review managed will be finalised,” he said.

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) was alerted to the urgency expressed by the President for an assessment based on data, on the way in which South Africans view current developments.

Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu says the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) is ready for social grant payments as from 31 March 2020.

Unpacking the department’s intervention measures on Coronavirus (COVID-19) during a Social Cluster briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday, Zulu said retailers and the banking industry are working closely with SASSA to ensure that everyone is able to access their money.

“We work with Treasury to make sure that the monies are paid a bit early, so that people can access the money. We are happy that Treasury has stepped up and made sure that everything is processed properly.

“Citizens are reminded that the elderly and people with disabilities should be allowed to access their grants on the 30th and 31st, so that they can return home as quickly as possible, given the emergency that has been declared. All other grants will be available from 31 April 2020,” Zulu said.

The Minister reminded recipients that once the money is paid into their account, it will remain there until they withdraw it.

Hygiene protocol to be enforced at retailers

Zulu said hygiene protocols and social distancing will be enforced at all retailers, and cooperation is requested to ensure that everyone is attended to without any unnecessary delays.

“We wrote a letter to the Ministers of Police and Defence to request that where we might need support, we [get it],” the Minister said.

SASSA offices close

Meanwhile, SASSA offices will be closed from Friday until 16 April 2020, and no new applications will be processed until after the lockdown.

Zulu said all applicants who need immediate assistance will be channelled to the department’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD), and applications will be done through the call centre.

With regards to grant administration services, Zulu said SASSA’s local offices will also be on lockdown from Friday until 16 April 2020.

“No new applications for grants will be done during the period of lockdown. Concerns and enquiries can be directed to the call centre on 0800 601 011 or email GrantEnquiries@sassa.gov.za.”

The call centre will be operational during the lockdown.

Social services continue operations

Zulu said while some shelters had to close, others like elderly centres and orphanages cannot be closed.

“Our responsibility is to make sure that we step up in supporting them and making sure that they are not left isolated,” the Minister said.

As the country deals with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu has amended hospital visiting hours across the province.

Simelane-Zulu announced that as of Monday 23 March 2020, visiting hours at all health hospitals have been limited to one hour from 1-2pm.

In addition to the revised hours, the number of visitors allowed for each patient, has been reduced to two.

In addition, no international visitors will be allowed access to the facilities.

“With the immune system of some in-hospital patients already compromised due to their ailments, the department has a responsibility to maintain infection prevention,  and control standards and minimize their exposure to people who could be carrying the virus unknowingly. Members of the public are urged to co-operate,” Simelane-Zulu said.

Meanwhile, Simelane-Zulu has expressed satisfaction at the news that two of the first patients exposed to the Coronavirus in South Africa have been given the all-clear.

The pair are already home.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala also welcomed the news of the speedy recovery of the two patients, saying this signalled hope amid the despair and gloom sparked by the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

“This development, inspires hope in line with KZN’s Coronavirus battle mantra “Siyayinqoba [we will conquer] the Coronavirus pandemic.This is very important as it dispels fear among our people and confirms that Coronavirus is curable, through early medical intervention and through people heeding precautions laid out by government,” Zikalala said.

Meanwhile, the MEC alluded to the capability and professionalism in the public healthcare system to deal with major outbreaks such as the Coronavirus.

“This is a serious test of our readiness to roll-out the National Health Insurance [NHI],” Simelane-Zulu said.

Provincial Command Team

KwaZulu-Natal has established a Provincial Command Team (PCT), which is tasked with providing a comprehensive response to the Coronavirus pandemic in the province.

The PCT is the highest-level intervention structure coordinated by the Premier and comprises of MECs, Heads of Departments, and key stakeholders, including Correctional Services and the South African Police Services.

Zikalala has announced an intensive ground mobilisation programme, which entails all MECs visiting various districts to lead education and awareness programmes.

The MECs will conduct on-the-ground assessments of readiness and the availability of required infrastructure in all districts, in a bid to combat the spread of the virus.

The plan also includes an assessment of readiness and capacity in every district of the province to respond to, and to accommodate the prospects of dealing with increasing levels of infection.

“The KZN government is going all out to mitigate further infections. The intensification of the public education, awareness and education campaign will go a long way towards fighting the stigma and ensuring that people are fully informed about how to protect themselves against the spread of the virus,” Zikalala said.

The mobilisation programme will kick off on Wednesday, 25 March 2020.

Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane says she has instructed that tourist attractions across the country be closed following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a national lockdown from midnight on Thursday to curb the spread of COVID-19.

“We are saying to tour operators and tour guides, you have an obligation to be responsible and protect South Africans and tourists themselves,” the Minister said.

Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday, Kubayi-Ngubane said tourists departing the country will be subjected to testing for Coronavirus at three airports, namely OR Tambo International, Cape Town and Durban, starting from this afternoon.

Kubayi-Ngubane advised that tourists plan for an extra hour at the airport for exit testing.

“We are appealing to tourists who are leaving to make some extra time for you to be able to be processed before you get to immigration, we want to make sure that as a sector we can be seen as responsible and not be seen as people who acted recklessly,” the Minister said.

She appealed to tour operators and tour guides to act responsibly so that there is no incidence where a tourist tests positive for COVID-19 but continues to tour the country.

“We have been able to interact with the sector and we are receiving cooperation,” the Minister said.

International flights to Lanseria Airport will be temporarily suspended.

Further, international travellers who arrived in South Africa after 9 march 2020 from high-risk countries will be confined to their hotels until they have completed a 14-day quarantine.

She said her department will be assisting small businesses in the tourism sector affected by the lockdown.

Under the lockdown, South Africans will be required to stay at home from midnight on Thursday 26 March 2020, until midnight on Thursday 16 April 2020.

Individuals will not be allowed to leave their homes except under strictly controlled circumstances, such as to seek medical care, buy food, medicine and other supplies or to collect social grants.

South African businesses and members of the general public on the edge of financial ruin due to the COVID-19 outbreak will breathe a sigh of relief after South African banks agreed to implement debt relief measures.

This comes after the banks agreed to government interventions, which will see competition laws relaxed amid the outbreak. The reprieve was announced by Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel, during a media briefing on Tuesday.

On Friday, the department issued an exemption for banks to coordinate on measures which can be used to support businesses and ordinary citizens during this period.

Patel said these will allow banks to work together to devise programmes and relief measures that can help small businesses, consumers and firms in destress.

“In particular, the exemption will allow the banks to coordinate on matters like payment holidays and debt relief for business and individuals in financial stress. These will also put limitations on asset repossession,” said the Minister.

Banks will also coordinate on extension of credit lines to the affected.

The exemptions will allow banks to work together to ensure the continued functioning of payment systems, as well as share information and resources to ensure the continued availability of bank notes at ATMs, branches and businesses.

Other interventions include the Industrial Development Corporation’s R3 billion relief facility with the Department for industrial funding. The facility will address the issue of vulnerable firms and extract funding for companies critical to efforts of fighting the virus and its economic impact. This will only be available to South African-owned companies.

“There are some elements to it. The first is a special intervention of R500 million, which is allocated for trade finance to import essential medical products. The second is a R700 million facility for working capital, equipment and machinery,” said Patel.

Addressing surges in demand to ensure food security is prioritised, including support for food supply chains interrupted by large companies closing down. Energy security and working capital for component manufacturers are also prioritised.

Essential services that fall outside the normal IDC sectors will now be considered.

For existing clients, the IDC is considering repayment deferments on a case-by-case basis.

Last week, government issued a list of 22 essential products that will be monitored closely to ensure that there are no unjustified price increases. These include basic foods, personal care, hygiene products, disinfectants, cleaning agents and medical supplies such as surgical gloves and masks.

These products also include rice, maize meal, vegetables and meat.

“We have had complaints about individuals and firms increasing prices unjustifiably. The consumer and competition commissions are now investigating 11 firms for allegedly selling products at inflated prices and abusing the situation.

“More firms are now being investigated and prosecutions will follow,” Patel said.

Penalties and fines range from R1 million, up to 10% of a company’s turnover or a year in jail.

The Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, has announced that as of Tuesday, South Africa has 554 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

This is an increase of 152 new cases from Monday’s announcement.

The update follows the President’s televised address to the nation on Monday night, where he announced a nationwide lockdown as part of efforts to curb the rapid spread of Coronavirus in the country.

President Ramaphosa made the announcement following a meeting held on Sunday with the National Coronavirus Command Council.

The number of confirmed cases in South Africa increased six-fold in just eight days.

During the nationwide lockdown, all South Africans will have to stay at home.

Mkhize made the announcement of the new cases during a media briefing by the National Command Council on the details of government’s interventions in various sectors in response to the President’s address.

As of 23 March 2020, South Africa had conducted 12 815 tests of COVID-19 tests, the majority of which were done in private laboratories.

The provincial breakdown is as follows:

Province           Positive

Gauteng             302

Western Cape    113

KwaZulu-Natal    80

Free State          18

North West         5

Mpumalanga      9

Limpopo             4

Northern Cape    2

Eastern Cape      2

“Our people need to understand that while there are issues around the lockdown, it should not give us a problem of a shortage of food supplies. The President has spoken about that and my colleagues will deal with that.

“Also, we have to deal with the protection of income. This is very critical in the management of any health condition, in as far as we are concerned,” said Mkhize.

Maintain good hygiene during lockdown

While government implemented the lockdown to slow down the spread of Coronavirus, Mkhize urged the public to continue exercising good hygiene during the lockdown.

“The lockdown helps us to reduce the large number of people moving about… However, it does not mean lockdown on its own solves the problem. We still need precautions. We need precautions because in the experience of China, 75% of the spread actually happened within the family setting,” he said.

In this regard, Mkhize called on citizens to continue implementing precautions within their family settings by exercising good hygiene, and coughing and sneezing into a flexed elbow.

Flattening the curve

On the delay and reduction of the overall number of infections over a longer period (what is known as flattening the curve of infections), the Minster said improvements will only be visible with time.   

“We still expect the numbers to increase for the next week but once our whole programme tightens up, we expect that if there should be a change, we will probably see it towards the end of the second or third week,” Mkhize said.

With some missing information of patients who tested positive but cannot be traced, Mkhize pleaded with clinicians and laboratories to tighten controls and ensure that patient information is recorded.

“This has created an administrative burden and if it is not rectified, it will hamper our efforts to be in immediate contact with patients and to determine whether they require hospitalisation, quarantine and the tracing of affected individuals.

“The National Health Act Regulations relating to the surveillance and control of notifiable medical conditions imposes a legal obligation for you to adhere to specific reporting standards,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza says her department has set aside a package of R1.2 billion to address the effects of the Coronavirus and to ensure sustainable food production during and after the pandemic.

“I appeal to the public not to embark on panic buying, as the President has indicated; the country has sufficient food supplies. Panic buying will only cause disruptions and inconvenience in the food system. I urge you, fellow-citizens, to also be considerate and purchase that which is sufficient for your needs,” Minister Didiza said.

Speaking at an Economic Cluster media briefing in Pretoria earlier today, Minister Didiza said live auctions of livestock and sale of other agricultural commodities will continue during the lockdown period.

The update follows the President’s televised address to the nation on Monday night, where he announced a nationwide lockdown as part of efforts to curb the rapid spread of Coronavirus in the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement following a meeting held on Sunday with the National Coronavirus Command Council.

Minister Didiza also said exports and imports of critical agriculture commodities will continue during the lockdown period to ensure global and national food security.

The Minister explained that this is not only limited to retailers but the entire food value chain, from farm-related operations, agro-processing and food manufacturing, logistics and related services, wholesale and retail services and all support functions that ensure efficient delivery of the agro-food system.

“We urge the food value chain role players to strictly comply and adhere to strict health regulations to contain and arrest COVID-19 as we strive to supply food to the nation,” the Minister said.

According to the Minister, the department has also availed R100 million to the Land Bank to assist farmers under distress.

Minister Didiza appealed to the wholesalers and retailers not to engage in price gouging.

“You have an important role to play in the supply of food, and the fight against COVID-19. We ask that you continue to serve the nation and help ensure food security at this critical juncture,” the Minister said.

Minister Didiza said agricultural production will remain uncompromised and this includes all services including provision of veterinary and advisory services.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has called on congregants who attended The Divine Restoration Church Ministries church conference in the Free State earlier this month to present themselves to the provincial Health Department in a bid to trace the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

The call comes after five international travellers who attended the conference from the 9th to the 14th of March 2020 tested positive for Coronavirus.

The Minister made the call on Tuesday at an inter-ministerial briefing on government’s interventions to fight the spread of COVID-19.

During the briefing, the Minister also announced that as of Tuesday South Africa has 554 confirmed cases of COVID-19. This is an increase of 152 new cases from Monday’s announcement.

The inter-ministerial briefing followed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s televised address to the nation on Monday night where he announced a nationwide lockdown as part of efforts to curb the rapid spread of the Coronavirus in the country.

In a search to track down the patients, the Minister announced the name of the church emphasising that this had to be done to ensure that potential cases are traced and tested.

While there is an ethical obligation not to disclose patient information, Mkhize said with the outbreak of the virus in the country, government will make use of empowering legislation to ensure effective contact tracing.

“We would like to request all those who were part of that gathering to come forth and contact the Department of Health in the Free State so that they can be assisted and we can therefore test them.

“We really want to make this as a public call. The regulations really do allow us at a certain point that if an individual does not come forth and has been a contact and we think his situation might pose a risk, we can actually publish the name,” he said.

Status of COVID-19 cases

Providing an update on confirmed cases in the country, the Minister said many are asymptomatic and in good condition with exception of two cases who are in intensive care units at private hospitals.

Take your flu vaccine

With the change of season coming and temperatures set to drop, the Minister encouraged the public to take the flu vaccine to minimise the impact and boost their immune systems.