CAPE TOWN- Due to the Covid-19 outbreak South Africa has been in a nation-wide lockdown for 50 days.
Much has happened since President Cyril Ramaphosa announced what would have been a 21-day stay at home lockdown.
Here’s a recap of the top 50 stories from 50 days of lockdown:
- LOOK: South Africans start panic buying. 26 March- It was the first day of lockdown and shop queues were out the doors with South Africans stocking up before the national lockdown starts.
- First 2 Covid 19 deaths in SA. 27 March- Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced South Africa’s had recorded its first two Covid-19 related deaths and infections were over 1000.
- Moody’s downgrades SA to “junk status”. 28 March- The ratings agency made the call due to South Africa’s escalating debts and its inability to curb its spending.
- Ramaphosa announces mass screening and testing. 30 March- President Cyril Ramaphosa said the mass screening and testing would involve over 10 000 healthcare workers.
- Students get virtual graduation ceremonies. 31 March- With South Africa on lockdown the University of the Western Cape decided to go ahead with a virtual graduation ceremony. And some graduates took the liberty of planning their own “graduation ceremony” at home.
- 67 Covid-19 mobile testing units launched. 1 April- Sampling and testing units were launched by Health minister Zweli Mkhize in Gauteng.
- Permit holders can attend funerals in another province. 1 April- Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said only close relatives may travel and no more than 50 people may attend the funeral.
- Look at what South Africans are Google searching. 3 April- Take a look at the most common search queries linked to the coronavirus in South Africa. One of the includes, ‘when will coronavirus end?’.
- SA scientists make vital discovery. 6 April- Scientists from the NICD were able to obtain enough virus DNA from a sample to complete a virus genome.
- Here’s what SA kids are doing at home. 6 April- South African children have been creative at home with TikTok being the preferred app for posting hilarious videos of themselves.
- South African helping to find Covid-19 cure. 8 April- Caroline Pule, a Stellenbosch University (SU) doctoral candidate is using her expertise to join a global team of researchers to understand and ultimately, find a cure for Covid-19.
- Adapting to homeschooling– Families across the country have adopted homeschooling, and although this method is flexible, it comes with challenges.
- How do you make your own alcohol? 9 April- As the lockdown in South Africa continued, there was a surge in alcohol related google searches.
- Lockdown extended by 2 weeks. 9 April- President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa’s national lockdown would be extended by two weeks, beyond the initial 21 days.
- Infections hit over 2000.- 10 April- The death toll due to Covid-19 in South Africa was 24 with 2003 positive infections.
- Masks are recommended. 11 April-. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says all South Africans should wear masks. The Minister recommended that people use cloth masks & that medical masks be reserved for use by healthcare professionals.
- Repo rate cut in SA. 14 April- The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) cut the repo rate by 100 basis points. This takes the repo rate to 4.25% per annum, meaning South Africans will be paying less on their debt.
- Abdool Karim presents Covid-19 findings.14 April- world-renowned epidemiologist and chair of South Africa’s Covid-19 Ministerial Advisory Committee Professor Salim Abdool Karim presented South Africa’s Covid-19 response.
- SA ranks 2nd for reliable news. 16 April- According to Covid19 Infodemics Observatory, South Africa ranks second after Singapore for the most reliable Covid-19 related news and information.
- WHO praises SA’s ‘aggressive strategy’ against Covid-19. 17 April- Representatives from the WHO acknowledged that South Africa’s “aggressive strategy” in managing the Covid-19 outbreak is beginning to flatten the curve.
- South Africa’s Covid-19 death toll hits 50. 17 April- The Covid-19 death toll in South Africa had hit 50. Infections were at 2783.
- Ramaphosa says alcohol ban will not be lifted. 17 April- Ramaphosa confirmed that the national alcohol ban will not be lifted until the end of the lockdown. This after the Gauteng Liquor Forum sent a letter to the President and argued that the total ban on the selling of alcohol is unreasonable
- R500 billion rand for economic relief. 21 April- Ramaphosa announced that R500 billion rand will be channelled into healthcare, vital municipal services and social relief. Here’s how the funds were allocated.
- Ramphosa introduces phased lockdown strategy. 23 April – The President outlined a phased relaxation of the National lockdown and an alert system with clearly defined levels of restriction which can be imposed by the National Command Council as necessary. Here are the 5 levels of lockdown explained.
- Restaurants open for delivery only. 25 April- Restaurants and takeaways will be open, but no sit-in will be allowed. This was announced by Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel on Saturday.
- Global Covid-19 cases hit the 3 million mark. 28 April- In less than four months, the global confirmed Covid-19 cases had surpassed the 3 million mark with the United States making up for almost a third of the cases.
- 217 Cuban doctors are flown in to SA. 28 April- 217 doctors arrived from Cuba to help #COVID19 fight.
- Over 100 Covid-19 deaths in SA. 29 April- South Africa’s Covid-19 death toll reaches 103, infections were 5350.
- Lockdown level 4 is outlined. 29 April- Minister Dlamini-Zuma led the briefing on regulations relating to Covid-19 alert level 4. The NCCC made a U-turn with their decision on the sale of cigarettes.
- An estimated 40% of South Africans go back to work. 1 May- Minister Patel said the reopening of the agriculture and manufacturing sectors estimates more than 40% of South Africans leaving their homes and going back to work.
- 7 day window period for interprovincial travel. 2 May- South Africans were given a week to travel to another province under Level 4 of lockdown.
- Ghanaian pallbearers make top memes of 2020. 2 May- By now, you have most likely seen the memes of a group of men dancing with a coffin to a catchy tune. It is a team of Ghanaian pallbearers who are typically used at funerals to lift the spirits of mourners.
- The alleged Madagascan Covid-19 cure.3 May- The Madagascar Cure trends on Twitter. It is a herbal remedy claiming to cure and prevent Covid-19.
- Homemade beer could have killed a Northern Cape couple. 5 May- Due to level 4 lockdown restrictions, people have resorted to other means of consuming alcohol – the popular method being home brewing or making your own alcohol.
- SA companies closing down due to Covid. 7 May- While the level 4 lockdown allowed various industries to re-open their doors, some companies have closed down or will not be able reopen at least until 2021.
- SARS tax filing season changed. 7 May- South African Revenue Service (SARS) commissioner Edward Kieswetter outlined changes that would be implemented during the current tax season.
- How you could be fined during lockdown. 9 May- Those who don’t stick to the rules under the Disaster Management Act, could face fines varying between R500 and R5000.
- SA Covid-19 cases breach 10 thousand. 10 May- South Africa recorded 10 015 Covid-19 infections, while deaths stood at 194.
- SA comedians provide lockdown laughs. 11 May- Some South African actors and comedians have used this time out of work to keep the nation laughing.
- Independent Schools want to reopen before June 1. 11 May- The National Alliance of Independent Schools Association (NAISA) wants the Department of Basic Education to reopen schools before the proposed opening date.
- SAB Begin Dumping of Beer. 11 May- Lockdown laws prohibit the sale and transportation of alcohol which has directly affected South African Breweries (SAB) with their only solution being to dump stored beer.
- Cape scientists isolate SA’s first live Covid-19 culture. 11 May- A team of scientists in the Western Cape have isolated a pure live culture of the Covid-19 virus which will be used in experimentation.
- SA nurses who lost their lives due to Covid-19 are remembered. 12 May- International Nurses Day, SA remembers and pays tribute to those who have lost their lives due to the Coronavirus.
- Car sales and certain clothing reopened under Level 4. The Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel issued directions that a wider range of clothing, footwear and bedding may be sold by retailers during level 4 lockdown.
- “I tested positive for Covid-19”, a Fish Hoek mom of two shares. 13 May- Susan Cameron who tested positive for Covid-19 recalls symptoms and experiences of having the virus.
- Ramaphosa addresses the nation again. 13 May. The President announced that South African Covid-19 hotspots with high infection rates could remain in lockdown level 4, while others transition to level 3.
- Locals are happy to be back at work. 14 May- Despite the risk of being infected by Covid-19, locals are happy to be back at work and earn a salary.
- Comrades cancelled, no refund for runners. 14 May-
- All online shopping now allowed except cigarettes or alcohol. 14 May- South African online stores are permitted to sell any product besides alcohol and cigarettes under lockdown alert level 4.
- South Africa has made it to day 50 of lockdown!
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