• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Politics

DA calls on Mkhize to institute a 14-day self-quarantine for all travellers

12 March 2020, 3:08 PM  |
Rudzani Tshivhase Rudzani Tshivhase |  @SABCNews
Coronavirus

On Monday, the Department of Health announced that confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa has risen to 23 615 with 11 917 recoveries.

Coronavirus

Image: Reuters

On Monday, the Department of Health announced that confirmed COVID-19 cases in South Africa has risen to 23 615 with 11 917 recoveries.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called on Health Minister Zweli Mkhize to institute a mandatory self-quarantine period of 14 days for all travellers from high-risk European countries, whether they are symptomatic or not.

This follows the World Health Organisation’s declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic and the increase in the numbers of infected people in South Africa to 17.

The party says that government needs to increase its measures to deal with the virus. The DA also intends to formally write to Mkhize to table its recommendation for consideration.

The DA says it is concerning that the new infections recorded are from outside the initial group of 10 travellers who visited Italy and are people who have recently landed back in South Africa from certain European countries. It says it is also worrying that the details around the first recorded first local transmission case are unclear.

The party is calling for self-quarantine of 14 days for travellers from high-risk European countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Dubai, saying that this will serve as a preventative strategy to ensure asymptotic travellers are not missed at the initial screening procedure and the Department of Health does not have to trace contacts of multiple travellers should they eventually present with symptoms.

COVID-19 inter-ministerial team in Limpopo

Meanwhile, a closed meeting between member of the African National Congress (ANC) Limpopo executive and the COVID-19 inter-ministerial task team is under way at the party’s provincial headquarters in Polokwane.

Minister Mkhize is leading the inter-ministerial team. The ANC wants clarity following reports that South Africans who will be repatriated from China will be quarantined for 21 days at a hotel outside Polokwane.

The ANCYL’s Task Team in the Peter Mokaba Region raised the issue of a quarantine facility for South African citizens returning from China on Wednesday.

They say they would prefer for each province to host their residents returning on Friday, instead of Limpopo hosting the whole group.

ANC provincial spokesperson, Donald Selamolela says that they want clarity on how Limpopo was chosen and the implications for the public.

Those attending the meeting to discuss the issue include Police Minister Bheki Cele, Local Government Doctor Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Home Affairs minister, Doctor Aaron Motsoaledi and Premier Stan Mathabatha, who is also ANC provincial chairperson.

In this video below Health Minister Zweli Mkhize briefs ANC officials in Limpopo:

Self-quarantine

However, the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW) has criticised a decision by government for people to self-quarantine themselves, following the coronavirus pandemic.

It says this is an indication that government does not have correct testing equipment at airports and good health systems. NUPSAW says there are a number of reasons why self-quarantine will not work. The union says many individuals will find it impossible to remain in confinement for at least two weeks and monitor themselves.

The organisation also says there is a high risk of people passing infections at malls while some will likely ignore medical advice.

NUPSAW says people have been encouraged to regularly wash their hands but some communities do not have access to water. The union believes that government is not ready to deal with coronavirus.

Share article
Tags: Democratic AllianceAfrican National CongressCOVID-19LimpopoDAANCZweli Mkhize
Previous Post

Proteas first ODI against India abandoned

Next Post

Mbalula insists he’s not afraid to appear before Zondo commission

Related Posts

File Image: SAMWU workers during strike action

Slain SAMWU leaders remembered as murder trial set to resume

4 February 2023, 6:57 AM
Council Speaker, Nomazizi Maputle.

Angry opposition parties stage walkout from Kimberley council meeting

3 February 2023, 10:29 PM
File image of basic services

Disgruntled Schweizer Reneke residents say political squabbles hampering service delivery

3 February 2023, 9:16 PM
Unemployed men wait on a street corner in the hope of getting casual work.

SA citizens will be wasting time listening to SONA: Dawie Roodt

3 February 2023, 9:09 PM
Ethekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda.

ANC defeats motion of no confidence in eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda

3 February 2023, 7:52 PM
Chelsea's Thiago Silva heads at goal during a match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Proposed Tottenham Hotspur deal is unjustifiable: Presidency

3 February 2023, 6:22 PM
Next Post
Minister Fikile Mbalula says the State Capture Commission did not make any effort to inform him about the pending damning evidence against him.

Mbalula insists he's not afraid to appear before Zondo commission

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • King of Bacardi music ‘Vusi Ma R5’ killed in Soshanguve
  • Committee wants to halt planned demolition of North West hospital
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • Malema threatens nationwide shutdown over power crisis, demands Ramaphosa resign
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • ‘Country in a crisis because Ramaphosa does not have courage to confront opponents’
  • Pirates, Sundowns clash headline weekend PSL fixtures
  • SA citizens will be wasting time listening to SONA: Dawie Roodt
  • Three SA Tourism board members resign
  • Julius Malema’s firearm trial postponed

LATEST

A person holding a gun.
  • South Africa

Hostage drama at Gauteng school leads to a fatality


Firefighters at a scene of a blaze
  • World

Train derailment causes massive fire in Ohio: Media


Tottenham Hotspur flag
  • South Africa

Three SA Tourism board members resign


Rhino seen in a nature reserve
  • South Africa

Mozambican national gets 18 years for rhino poaching


Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is seen interacting with the school management team at the Geluksdal Secondary School in Brakpan on 03 February 2023 following the fatal stabbing of a learner.
  • South Africa

Gauteng Education to beef up security in schools


File Image: SAMWU workers during strike action
  • Politics

Slain SAMWU leaders remembered as murder trial set to resume


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Proteas Proteas first ODI against India abandoned
Next Mbalula insists he’s not afraid to appear before Zondo commission