South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new lockdown measures at both national, and district level for South Africa.
In a national address on Monday evening (14 December), the president said that the country has been hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections with nearly 8,000 new cases reported on Sunday.
There can no longer be any doubt that South Africa has entered a second wave, said the president. “If we do not act urgently, the second wave will be even more severe than the first wave.”
The president pointed to four provinces leading this second wave, including:
- The Western Cape
- The Eastern Cape
- KZN
- Gauteng
There are probably many reasons for this massive spike in infections, but some key contributors are now becoming clearer, the president said.
Ramaphosa said that most cases are reported in young people between 15 and 19 years. He said that one of the main reasons for the massive spike in infections are social gatherings and parties- particularly the matric rage event.
“In many of these gatherings, social distancing is not being observed, venues are crowded and not adequately ventilated, hand sanitiser is not readily available, and people are not wearing masks,” he said.
Many people consume alcoholic drinks at these ‘super-spreader’ events, with the result that people become less careful about taking measures to protect themselves and prevent infection.
“We now know that nearly 1,000 young people from Gauteng who attended the event have tested positive for the coronavirus. What we don’t yet know is how many more people each of them has infected.
“It is said that up to 300 families could in turn have been infected. The sad truth about is that festivals, concerts & parties – which should be occasions for fun & joy – are proving to be sources of infection & illness and may even lead to deaths.”
Other reasons behind the rise infections include increased travel between provinces and a relaxed attitude to current lockdown regulations such as wearing masks.
“The more we travel, the greater the potential to spread the virus,” the president said.
He said that the relatively low rates of infection over the last few months have made us more relaxed about wearing a mask over our nose and mouth every time we go out in public.
“Another factor in the rise in infections is increased travel with many people not observing prevention measures as they move within cities, towns and rural areas, and between different areas.”
“The festive season now poses the greatest threat,” the president said. “Unless we do things differently, this will be the last Christmas for many South Africans,” he said.
Local restrictions
Ramaphosa said that it is necessary to take extraordinary measures to save lives, while still protecting livelihoods.
These measures include local lockdown restrictions for the Sarah Baartman District in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route District in the Western Cape, which have been declared hotspot regions.
From 00h01 on Tuesday, until a drop in infections is seen, the following additional restrictions will take affect in these areas:
- Hours of curfew will be from 22h00 – 04h00 except for essential workers and emergencies;
- The sale of alcohol will only be permitted between 10h00 and 18h00, from Monday and Thursday at retail outlets;
- Alcohol use will be banned in public places such as beaches and parks;
- All gatherings, including religious gatherings, may not be attended by more than 100 people for indoor events and 250 people for outdoor events;
- At all times the total number of people may not exceed 50% of venue capacity;
- All post-funeral gatherings are now prohibited.
National lockdown
Ramaphosa also announced that further national restrictions will be reintroduced from 00h01 on Tuesday.
These restrictions will be reviewed in early January based on the state of the country’s coronavirus cases, he said.
The new restrictions include:
- Stricter enforcement of existing level 1 lockdown restrictions – This includes that people in public buildings and public transport wear masks.
- Gatherings – Gatherings will be further restricted to 100 people for indoor events and 250 for outdoor events. The total number of people in a venue may not exceed 50% of the capacity of the venue.
- Funerals – All post-funeral gathering are prohibited across the country.
- Beaches – Ramaphosa said that a differentiated approach will be used for the country’s beaches and public parks. In areas with high coronavirus cases beaches and parks will be closed from 16 December to 3 January – this will apply to all of the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route. Beaches will also be closed in KZN on days which are seen as particularly busy. These include 16 December, 26 December, 31 December, 1 January, 2 January, and 3 January. Beaches and public parks in the Western Cape and Northern Cape will remain open for now.
- Evening – South Africa’s national curfew will be extended: 23h00 until 04h00. This means that non-essential establishments such as restaurants will have to close at 22h00 so that staff and patrons can go home before curfew. The curfew is in full effect on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
- Alcohol – The sale of alcohol will only be permitted from 10h00 – 18h00 from Monday to Thursday at retail outlets. Wine farms can remain open and sell alcohol for off-site consumption as per their licence hours.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
Relocation Africa’s Monthly Social Responsibility Project, Month 4: Food Hampers
As part of our constant drive to give back to our community, our team has endeavored to join together to participate in a monthly community-focused CSR initiative. The team comes together each month to participate in an activity aimed at uplifting the community around our head office in Cape Town, after which ideas are put forward for the following month’s initiative.
In this way, as South Africans, we are giving back not only on Mandela Day, but throughout the year, as the need doesn’t end after the holiday.
Naturally, we take all necessary COVID-19-related precautions when participating in the activities, so as to ensure the health and safety of our team members and those we are interacting with outside our office.
For our fourth month, in December 2020, the Relocation Africa team bought Pick n Pay food hampers, with the theme of ‘Improving SA’s Food Security’. Once staff had dropped off their hampers at reception, we handed them over to The Honeybun Foundation.
The Honeybun Foundation, a Cape Town based NPO, aims at improving the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals. It was established in 2014 and since then has worked closely with informal settlements and safe homes. In addition to this, the foundation also has a feeding scheme once a month and feeds roughly 200 homeless individuals at a time.
The Honeybun Foundation is committed to providing meals and easing the burden of families who are struggling during the COVID lock-down. When we saw their drive to collect Pick n Pay grocery hampers, we decided to join in. For more information about the Foundation, click here, or contact Stephen on +2771 382 5455.
We hope this inspires our readers and other companies to start similar initiatives, as if we all work together, we can greatly improve the quality of life of those in need around us.
Gallery
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
As COVID Numbers Worsen, New Lock-down Restrictions for South Africa Announced
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new lockdown measures at both national, and district level for South Africa.
In a national address on Monday evening (14 December), the president said that the country has been hit by a second wave of coronavirus infections with nearly 8,000 new cases reported on Sunday.
There can no longer be any doubt that South Africa has entered a second wave, said the president. “If we do not act urgently, the second wave will be even more severe than the first wave.”
The president pointed to four provinces leading this second wave, including:
There are probably many reasons for this massive spike in infections, but some key contributors are now becoming clearer, the president said.
Ramaphosa said that most cases are reported in young people between 15 and 19 years. He said that one of the main reasons for the massive spike in infections are social gatherings and parties- particularly the matric rage event.
“In many of these gatherings, social distancing is not being observed, venues are crowded and not adequately ventilated, hand sanitiser is not readily available, and people are not wearing masks,” he said.
Many people consume alcoholic drinks at these ‘super-spreader’ events, with the result that people become less careful about taking measures to protect themselves and prevent infection.
“We now know that nearly 1,000 young people from Gauteng who attended the event have tested positive for the coronavirus. What we don’t yet know is how many more people each of them has infected.
“It is said that up to 300 families could in turn have been infected. The sad truth about is that festivals, concerts & parties – which should be occasions for fun & joy – are proving to be sources of infection & illness and may even lead to deaths.”
Other reasons behind the rise infections include increased travel between provinces and a relaxed attitude to current lockdown regulations such as wearing masks.
“The more we travel, the greater the potential to spread the virus,” the president said.
He said that the relatively low rates of infection over the last few months have made us more relaxed about wearing a mask over our nose and mouth every time we go out in public.
“Another factor in the rise in infections is increased travel with many people not observing prevention measures as they move within cities, towns and rural areas, and between different areas.”
“The festive season now poses the greatest threat,” the president said. “Unless we do things differently, this will be the last Christmas for many South Africans,” he said.
Local restrictions
Ramaphosa said that it is necessary to take extraordinary measures to save lives, while still protecting livelihoods.
These measures include local lockdown restrictions for the Sarah Baartman District in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route District in the Western Cape, which have been declared hotspot regions.
From 00h01 on Tuesday, until a drop in infections is seen, the following additional restrictions will take affect in these areas:
National lockdown
Ramaphosa also announced that further national restrictions will be reintroduced from 00h01 on Tuesday.
These restrictions will be reviewed in early January based on the state of the country’s coronavirus cases, he said.
The new restrictions include:
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
COVID-19: Cape Town to Crack Down on Alcohol Non-Compliance During Festive Season
The City of Cape Cape Town can be intently eyeing liquor retailers this festive season, as alcohol-related trauma incidents might place an pointless burden on town’s hospitals amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, the City’s Safety and Security and Community Services and Health Directorates held a briefing addressing the City’s 2020/21 festive season preparedness plan, discussing new implementations that will be taken to curb the unfold of the coronavirus.
Cape Town mayco member JP Smith stated operational plans can be put in place for large days reminiscent of New Year’s Eve.
“The South African Police Services, along with the City services, will put an operational plan in place for each of these big days,” stated Smith.
“When the curfew starts, we will require people not to be on the streets”, he added.
Smith stated that in the mean time, the least of their issues was that folks wouldn’t be allowed to have a good time New Year’s Eve as earlier than.
In addition to the brand new plan, the City can be visiting at the least three alcohol retailers a day in every suburb to monitor compliance, in a bid to lower the spate of alcohol-related incidents.
Law enforcement visited 69 retailers in October and 85 in November, checking for compliance.
This would additionally be certain that hospitals weren’t clogged up by alcohol-related trauma.
Beaches, swimming swimming pools
Addressing the accessibility of leisure parks and seashores, councillor Zahid Badroodien stated the general public would have to work intently with the recreation and parks division to ensure that all of the laws have been adhered to.
“The City has about 370km of coastline and a number of beaches and tidal pools along the length of the City,” he stated.
He stated that in any respect these varied places, facility workers, lifeguards and identikits can be out there over the festive season.
Badroodien additionally emphasised that seaside goers ought to attempt to come dressed for the seaside to minimise interplay within the altering rooms.
With the Covid-19 laws, the swimming pools have been solely in a position to take about 50% of the standard quantity of patrons.
“If you have any symptoms or know of anyone who has had Covid-19 within a short space of time, or if you are waiting for test results, please don’t come to any of our public facilities,” urged Badroodien.
The City was anticipated to have over 600 lifeguards that will be positioned; 340 of whom can be situated seasonally on the seashores, whereas 300 can be based mostly at swimming swimming pools.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].
First Woman Construction Management Professor Named in South Africa and Nigeria
When Abimbola Windapo graduated from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1987, she was the first woman to study building in Nigeria.
Now, with her promotion to full professorship at the University of Cape Town (UCT), the academic and builder is also the first Nigerian woman professor of construction management, and the first in South Africa.
Beginning her career as a planning engineer for Bouygues Nigeria Ltd, Windapo worked on numerous high-profile projects, completed a Master’s in Construction Management at the University of Lagos, and qualified for the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria.
In 1996 she left Bouygues and joined Lagos State Polytechnic, then the University of Lagos in 1998 where she finished her PhD in Building in 2005. During that time, she continued providing professional building services for the University of Lagos and was made Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Building in 2007.
Two years later, Windapo joined UCT while continuing to research and practice as a construction professional. She is credited with leading research on how small and medium-sized contractors can grow sustainably, a field she developed in response to high failure rates of construction companies in the South African industry.
“Before my research in this area, there was no previous recipe for sustainable contractor development, while the practices used by construction companies in ensuring health and safety were not established in the literature,” she said.
She has also been praised as an administrator in higher education for chairing the Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment’s Transformation Committee from 2015 to 2017, a period of student protests across UCT campuses.
Windapo has said she was drawn to construction by a desire to help solve social problems such as unaffordable housing, overcrowding, inadequate infrastructure and service delivery and poor living environments.
“All human beings should have access to comfortable accommodation in a conducive environment,” she said.
For information as to how Relocation Africa can help you with your Mobility, Immigration, Research, Remuneration, and Expat Tax needs, email info@relocationafrica.com, or call us on +27 21 763 4240.
Sources: [1], [2]. Image sources: [1], [2].