Covid19 Update: Joe Biden Expected to Impose US Travel Ban on SA
The US is the latest nation to place travel restrictions on SA amid concerns over the new strain of the virus. Briefly.co.za explores the latest Covid-19 updates in the country.
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SA Breweries has opted to suspend the contracts of over 500 employees while the United States is expected to impose a travel ban on Mzansi.
This comes as South Africa continues to record high infection and fatality rates amid the pandemic.
Source: Getty Images
Briefly.co.za explores the latest updates on the Covid-19 crisis below:
1. SA Breweries sheds over 500 jobs
SA Breweries has opted to suspend the contracts of 550 temporary workers indefinitely amid the continued impact of the current lockdown ban on alcohol.
A Business Times report noted that workers are mainly part of the group's supply and logistics division and include workers such as packers and delivery staff.
Fin24 had previously noted that Heineken South Africa also confirmed that it would be cutting local staff by 7% in addition to suspending a R6 billion expansion project mid-2020.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, in reaction to the billions lost through investment amid the continued restrictions, highlighted that he was 'obviously concerned' about the impact of the ban.
2. US joins other nations in SA travel ban
The United States is expected to join France, Sweden and even Israel in including South Africa in a travel ban. This move is in reaction to a new strain of Covid-19 that is believed to have originated in SA and Britain.
Monday saw a global shift towards restrictions on borders with President Joe Biden anticipated to reimpose a ban on most non-US citizens travelling from countries like Britain, Brazil and most of Europe.
News24 reports that a senior White House official confirmed that South Africa will be joining this list with Biden recently having clamped down on masks and quarantines for people entering the US.
3. Mkhize on latest statistics
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize has once again provided South Africa with an update on the Covid-19 pandemic. In a statement released on Sunday, Mkhize confirmed the latest number of infections:
"As of today the cumulative number of Covid-19 cases identified on South Africa is 1 412 986 with 8 147 new cases identified since the last report."
In addition to the latest infections, Mkhize also confirmed the recorded number of fatalities:
"Regrettably, we report 300 more Covid-19 related deaths: Eastern Cape 43, Free State 15, Gauteng 45, KwZulu-Natal 70, Mpumalanga 6, North West 14, Northern Cape 2 and Western Cape 105. This brings the total to 40 874 deaths."
Earlier, Briefly.co.za reported that experts have warned the if the Covid-19 vaccine does not make to South Africa in time, a third and possibly deadlier wave of the virus might ravage the country.
Shabir Madhi, a vaccinologist, warned that if a third wave did hit, it would be too late to administer the vaccine to high-risk groups if there is a delay.
A number of experts who have been sidelined, including Glenda Gray, a South African Medical Research Council president professor, said that there was no clear date when the vaccines programme will be rolled out.
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Source: Briefly News
