Health Dept to recommend easing of COVID-19 restrictions
Minister Zweli Mkhize says the Health Ministry will make recommendations on the easing of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions to Cabinet.
He says the coronavirus transmission rate's coming down in the country.
Mkhize says because of this, they've considered easing restrictions on our nighttime curfew, alcohol sales, religious gatherings and travel restrictions.
"Whatever decisions are made, it is important to emphasize that the risk of spreading and contracting COVID-19 still remains and that non-pharmaceutical interventions remain important as we learn to co-exist with the coronavirus."
The Minister's released a full status update on South Africa's fight against COVID-19.
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He says whatever decisions are made, it's important to emphasize there's still the risk of spreading and contracting coronavirus.
The number of COVID-19 related deaths has risen to 15 499.
South Africa's overall number of positive cases has passed the 650 000 mark. Mkhize says since March, over 32 000 health care workers have been diagnosed with the virus - 257 of them died.
Meanwhile, he's expressed concern about the findings of an Auditor-General report on the fraudulent procurement of PPEs.
The report revealed that some government departments had failed to stick to the prices recommended by National Treasury and paid up to five times more for PPEs.
Auditor-General, Kimi Makwethu said there are clear indications of fraud and corruption with the procurement of protective gear during the pandemic.
