COVID-19 / Novel Coronavirus

The National Coronavirus Command Council has decided to enforce a nation-wide lockdown for 21 days with effect from midnight on Thursday 26 March. (https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-escalation-measure...) .
Stay at home
Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)
Wash your hands as soon as you get home


As of 25 March 2020, the total number of confirmed cases is now 709. (https://www.gov.za/speeches/minister-zweli-mkhize-confirms-total-709-cases-coronavirus-covid-19-25-mar-2020-0000)
President Ramaphosa announced that the COVID-19 outbreak has been declared a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act. (https://www.gov.za/speeches/statement-president-cyril-ramaphosa-measures-combat-covid-19-epidemic-15-mar-2020-0000)

Source: Health
For daily updates of countries, territories or areas with reported laboratory confirmed COVID-19 cases, please refer to:
World Health Organisation COVID-19 situation reports https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports
Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

Call centres and hotlines
Essential service application portal
All businesses that will be allowed to provide essential services are required to seek approval from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in order for them to trade during the period of the lockdown.
Such businesses are required to apply to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) Bizportal website at www.bizportal.gov.za and obtain a certificate from the Commission that allows them to continue trading. The Bizportal website will contain a menu icon listed as “Essential Service Businesses” through which an application can be made to the CIPC.
SASSA
SASSA call centre (0800 60 10 11)
PostBank call centre (available 24/7) on 0800 53 54 55 to deal with concerns and complaints related to SASSA/SAPO cards – card replacement, PIN resets and non-payment
Call centres and hotlines
Government has a number of call centres and hotlines through which you can:
get information about services and programmes
report problems or make complaints
provide tip-offs to authorities about fraudulent or criminal activities.

Solidarity Fund - https://www.solidarityfund.co.za/
The Fund will focus efforts to combat the spread of the virus, help us to track the spread, care for those who are ill and support those whose lives are disrupted.
For organisations wishing to make any offers of non cash donations kindly contact 0860 001 001 between 8am and 6pm South African time. Alternately you can download the donation form and mail the completed form to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A donor consultant will be in touch with you once we have processed your form. For any queries related to non cash donations please contact us on 0860 001 001

Whatsapp: Say "Hi" to 0600 123 456

For medical enquiries: National Institute for Communicable Diseases 0800 029 999

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has set up a 24-hour hotline number for South African citizens based in Wuhan City, China.
South African Embassy in Beijing
Hotline: +86 135 0105 9041
Ms Lesego Pelompe
Mr Siyabonga Ponco
South African Consulate General in Shanghai
Hotline: +86 159 0045 4282
Ms Grace Motloutzi
Family members who require more information about their loved ones who will be repatriated can contact the Department of International Relations and Corporation (DIRCO) on the following contact details:
Email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone number: 012 351 1754.