Covid-19 updates: 3 Soldiers test positive, Cele stands firm on booze

Three members of the SA National Defence Force have tested positive for the coronavirus with 15 test results still pending. Briefly.co.za explores this and other updates on the situation.

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Three SANDF members have tested positive for the coronavirus with 15 still awaiting test results.

TimesLIVE reports that Surgeon General Lt-Gen Zola Dabula confirmed that 125 tests have been carried out to date with deliberate measures being taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

''Allow me to use this opportunity and extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to all deployed SA National Defence Force members. The SA Military Health Service (SAMHS) is working around the clock to hinder and inhibit this fast-advancing destructive and unseen enemy."

1. Lockdown 'joke' lands Somizi in hot water with Fikile Mbalula

Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula is not happy with Somizi Mhlongo, so upset that he is laying charges against the Idols SA judge.

A video surfaced on social media of Somizi telling his Metro FM workmate Dineo Ranaka that the lockdown would be extended, hours before President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement.

Somizi told Dineo that he heard the news from "Fikile". Mbalula is incensed by the fact that Somizi said that he told him that the lockdown would be extended before the president made the announcement.

2. Covid-19: Cele says those worried about alcohol aren't serious

Police Minister Bheki Cele says that people who are worried about alcohol during the coronavirus pandemic are not 'serious about life'.

Citizens have been questioning the current restrictions with many wondering why a virus would require a clampdown on drinking.

Nevertheless, Cele has made it's clear that the ban is firmly in place and he had a few stern words for those who are concerned over this issue

"Those people are the people who don't understand, the people who are not serious in life. It is a question of life and death. There are many other things, the economy itself we agree is suffering at a broader level, people are losing jobs, there will be liquidations. Alcohol cannot be the centre of complaints when you are facing such a serious problem."

3. Covid-19: School holidays could be cancelled to make up for lost time

The current national lockdown has been extended for a further two weeks and while the majority of concern has been for the economic impact of the decision, another critical problem is brewing in the background.

South Africa's schoolchildren are losing valuable learning time and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is attempting to find a solution to the issue. One of these solutions may be to cancel the remaining school holidays in a bid to salvage the academic year.

4. Chamber of Commerce asks government to reopen fast-food restaurants

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) has strongly recommended that the government reopen fast-food services.

The SACCI argues that this would contribute to the struggling economy. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the lockdown would be extended by two weeks and that the government would look at phasing sectors of the economy back into operation.

SACCI CEO Alan Mukoki believes that the fast-food industry could operate in a safe and responsible way. They could limit customers to drive-throughs and deliveries to eliminate long queues.

5. Covid-19: The United States reports over half a million cases

On Friday, the United States of America revealed that it had over 500 000 confirmed cases of Covid-19.

This is despite many states being in full lockdown which has seen a slow-down in the infection rate.

The virus is spreading to approximately 30 000 people each day. This means that almost a third of the worlds 1.6 million cases of the virus are in the US. US deaths exceeded 18 600 on Friday and officials have cautioned that the peak will hit this week and the fatalities are set to rise.

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Source: Briefly News