Mbalula: Taxis must provide sanitizers

The inter-ministerial committee spoke to members of the media today about the government's integrated response to COVID-19. President Cyril Ramaphosa has laid out a comprehensive plan to arrest the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa, which currently has 62 confirmed cases. CNBC Africa's Gadabalek-Klatel was present at the briefing and shared some crucial details. The room was bustling with more than 100 attendees, including directors-general and ministers. Despite efforts to reduce the crowd, the journalist cohort alone numbered between 60 to 70, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the high level of interest in the government's response. One key point of discussion was around the transport sector, with a focus on ensuring preventive measures are in place to curb the spread of the virus among commuters. Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, highlighted the importance of taxi operators providing hand sanitizers in their vehicles. He emphasized that the cost of sanitization should be borne by the operators, and both drivers and passengers must ensure they are sanitized before entering the taxis. The minister also mentioned plans to conduct random screenings at taxi ranks and stations as part of a larger operation to combat the spread of the virus. Another significant aspect discussed during the briefing was the impact of COVID-19 on travel policies, particularly with regards to international and intra-Africa travel. Minister Mbalula addressed concerns about the visa regime, highlighting the need to restrict travel from countries with high infection rates, such as the USA and European nations. While the focus is currently on countries that are most affected by the virus, the government remains open to adjusting travel restrictions based on the evolving situation. The lack of emphasis on intra-Africa travel and the potential implications for regional mobility and trade were also brought up during the discussion. The committee acknowledged the irony of imposing travel restrictions at a time when the African Union has been championing the all-Africa continental free trade area. The potential impact on regional cooperation and the need for a coordinated response across African countries were highlighted as significant considerations. As the global community grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of coordinated policies and actions at both the national and regional levels has become increasingly apparent. While South Africa, along with other nations, has taken swift measures to combat the virus, there remains a need for greater alignment and collaboration to effectively manage the crisis. The looming possibility of a state of emergency underscores the gravity of the situation and the imperative for proactive and coordinated responses to safeguard public health and well-being.