In the media briefing on Saturday we were told by Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma that a team of Cuban doctors was on its way to our country, due to land here today. She declined to reply to a question as to how many medical professionals were due to arrive. A friend living in Havana sent me an article confirming this information, with the figure of 200 health professionals mentioned. Surprising was to read that our country sent a plane load of medical materials to Havana last week, including infra-red thermometers, gloves, masks, and hospital bed covers. The gift to Cuba was described as ‘… not a donation, but a modest gesture of brotherhood.…’! Continue reading →
In a more upbeat speech this evening, compared to the heavy technical-financial one two days ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a first loosening of the Lockdown from the current Level 5 to Level 4, commencing on 1 May 2020, five weeks after the start of the South African COVID-19 Lockdown. Despite the businesses to be opened in May have not yet being announced, a number of regulations will guide the life of South African residents and businesses as of the beginning of next month.
Restaurant industry on its knees’ dramatically writes the Financial Mail in a story headline this morning, presenting a picture of doom and gloom about our South African restaurant industry, one which has seen tough times since winter a year ago, a poorer 2019 summer and festive season compared to the years before, not being allowed to open their restaurants for Take-Away food production or delivery, and likely to be one of the last industries to be allowed to reopen in what President Ramaphosa called a ‘phased-in’ approach to opening up businesses within the Lockdown, about which he will reveal more in his sixth speech to the nation tonight.