The medical doctor who is Limpopo’s first confirmed coronavirus case is in self-quarantine. MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba says the 28-year-old has been to France, Netherlands and Spain.
“This is a case of a 28-year-old male who travelled to Europe. He has been to France, Spain, upon his return from overseas, the doctor did not show any signs or symptoms of coronavirus and this particular doctor, upon return, he did not only self-quarantine himself, but he also at the same time went for testing. He must continue to quarantine himself, his identity, his place of work I’m telling you up front don’t ask me that question I’m not going to tell you.”
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in South Africa now stands at 62.
University of Limpopo suspends classes
In the same province, the University of Limpopo has become the latest institution of higher learning to suspend classes in response to the coronavirus pandemic. University registrar Professor Kwena Masha says management met on Monday morning to discuss the best way to respond to the national disaster.
He says residences will be open until five o’clock on Tuesday afternoon.
“We thought it would be very helpful to have a precautionary measure where the students are back at home to limit the exposure on campus, but secondly, to make sure that even in communities our students can become part of the community in explaining the measures that the nation is taking in dealing with this matter. All the residences will be closing at 5 o’clock tomorrow and where there is a need to specify the date when students can come back then we will communicate such a message.”
As SABC’s Gillian Pillay reports some institutions have cancelled graduation ceremonies because of the coronavirus outbreak:
Impact of travel ban on farmers
Meanwhile, Limpopo farmers close to some of the borders that have been closed as part of travel ban to control the spread of coronavirus have mixed feelings about the travel ban. Some of the border posts that have been closed are Pontdrift, Zanzibar and Platjan that give entry to Botswana.
Some farmers say they are losing business from trophy hunters from Europe and people from Botswana who buy produce from their farms. However, Danie du Plessis who farms near the Platjan border outside Alldays welcomes the travel ban.
“It is very important for the government to stop people from Europe because the infection in Europe is very high. So, we don’t want coronavirus in Africa and South Africa. For the game farms, it will be a problem for them because people come here but later on if the virus is under control the people can come again for hunting.” Below is an infographic with the countries that are affected by the ban:
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