Covid-19 lockdown partially lifted with mines allowed to operate at 50%; ban on cigarettes, alcohol remains

The National Command Council on Covid-19 has announced that the government will start a gradual lifting of the lockdown. It includes allowing mines to start operating at 50% of capacity with strict safety measures imposed. Other sectors of the economy that will be opened, include companies that keep essential technology services going, some call-centres and informal traders will be allowed to sell raw food. The restrictions on buying alcohol and cigarettes will remain in place. At a media briefing, ministers Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Ebrahim Patel and Gwede Mantashe gave more details of how the gradual lifting of restrictions will take place. - Linda van Tilburg