WRAP | Govt will use cell phone numbers to trace people with Covid-19, police arrest 2 289 for violating regulations, ‘too early’ too say whether lockdown will last beyond 21 days

Cabinet ministers held another briefing on Thursday evening. 

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Nkosasana Dlamini-Zuma, has announced a raft of changes to lockdown regulations, including people being allowed to cross provinces to attend funerals.

She said it is “too early” for the government to say whether the lockdown will continue past 21 days.

The minister has also clarified that all spaza shops can stay open, and has now allowed informal food sellers to remain open throughout the lockdown.

She said in a briefing on Thursday evening that people who want to attend funerals in other provinces must obtain a permit from a magistrate or a station commander at a police station. People travelling for funerals will also be allowed to stay in lodges or hotels.

She clarified that funerals still have a 50-person limit, but gravediggers and undertakers do not count in this number. She said night vigils are still not allowed.

Dlamini-Zuma further announced that the government will now be tracing people who are positive with coronavirus via their cell phone numbers. This is to allow the medical staff to pinpoint who that person may have come into contact with.

Adjustments to the regulations make it compulsory for medical staff to take essential information from everyone tested for Covid-19, including names, ID numbers and contact information.

Police Minister Bheki Cele said police have arrested 2 289 people since the start of the lockdown for violating regulations. He warned that there are 24 389 law enforcement officers on the streets.

Cele clarified that no cigarettes can be sold, and knocked down the Western Cape government saying on Thursday that vendors would be allowed to sell cigarettes.

Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said fuel cargo and other goods will now be allowed to come into the country. Previously, only essential goods were allowed.

He said South Africans stuck abroad are allowed to return now, and likewise foreign nationals stuck in South Africa can go back to their countries.

Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisiulu, said government has centralised all water service delivery via command service. This is the place where people can call for water queries. The command centre is situated in Johannesburg.