#YouAsked Covid-19 Is there a coronavirus vaccine trial in South Africa? Source South African health minister Short answer Is there a coronavirus vaccine trial in South Africa? South Africa was not yet participating in vaccine trials for Covid-19, health minister Zweli Mkhize said on 7 April. But it is part of a study of the World Health Organization to see if existing treatments can help fight the virus.... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Do South Africans have to carry a completed Form B when they go to collect medicine or buy groceries during the 21-day lockdown? Source Government of Cyprus Short answer Do South Africans have to carry a completed Form B when they go to collect medicine or buy groceries during the 21-day lockdown? No. Form B, which was shared on social media, applies in Cyprus. In South Africa, staff who perform an essential service have to carry a permit. A permit is not required for people who go to collect medicine or buy groceries. More: Do South Africans need ‘proof’ of reason when they ... Back Full answer
FEATURED #YouAsked Covid-19 Is the new coronavirus airborne? Source World Health Organization Short answer Is the new coronavirus airborne? The new coronavirus spreads through droplets, which are produced when someone sneezes, coughs or talks. If you are close to someone when this happens, you could breathe in the virus. According to the World Health Organization, “studies to date suggest that the virus that causes Covid-19 is main... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Has the ban on the sale of cigarettes during South Africa’s 21-day lockdown been reversed? Source South African minister of police Short answer Has the ban on the sale of cigarettes during South Africa’s 21-day lockdown been reversed? On 2 April, the government of the Western Cape province said it would allow the sale of cigarettes during lockdown, provided that these are bought along with food.Premier Alan Winde said this was how the province interpreted the national government’s regulations.However, during a media briefing la... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Will South Africa’s 21-day lockdown be extended? Source South African minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs Short answer Will South Africa’s 21-day lockdown be extended? Update (09/04/2020): On 9 April, the president announced an extension of the lockdown until the end of April.At a media briefing on 2 April, the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said it was too early to say whether the lockdown would be extended. �... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Can the South African government track someone’s phone during lockdown? Source South African minister of communications and digital technologies Short answer Can the South African government track someone’s phone during lockdown? Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, minister of communications and digital technologies, told a media briefing on 2 April that the lockdown regulations allowed the government to obtain the location information for a cellphone number if the owner had tested positive for Covid-19. The minister of cooperative gov... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Is there a rapid test for the new coronavirus in South Africa or must the test be done by a lab? Source National Institute for Communicable Diseases Short answer Is there a rapid test for the new coronavirus in South Africa or must the test be done by a lab? The National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa has advised against the use of the rapid tests that measure the presence of antibodies to diagnose Covid-19.“Testing for SARS-CoV-2 [the virus] is done in a specialised molecular laboratory, and turn-around times for results are 24-4... Back Full answer
FEATURED #YouAsked Covid-19 Does heat kill the new coronavirus? Source World Health Organization Short answer Does heat kill the new coronavirus? The World Health Organization has warned that neither taking a hot bath nor exposing yourself to sunshine or temperatures higher than 25°C will prevent Covid-19. Using a hand dryer also doesn’t kill the virus. More: Hot baths, hot hand dryers and other heat will NOT kill coronavirus ... Back Full answer
#YouAsked Covid-19 Are visitation rights allowed for co-parents during South Africa’s lockdown? Source Department of Social Development Short answer Are visitation rights allowed for co-parents during South Africa’s lockdown? Update (07/04/2020): On 7 April, the department issued amended directions. These allow for the movement of children in particular circumstances.According to directions issued by the department of social development on 30 March, children may not be moved between co-parents during the 21-day lockdown.... Back Full answer