President Cyril Ramaphosa has last night seen off the team, which will be repatriating the South Africans who are still trapped in Wuhan, China, following the corona-virus out-break.
Ramaphosa says the mission will cost R25 million and includes 151 members of the SA National Defence Force.
Two weeks ago, Ramaphosa announced the government was planning to repatriate 184 South Africans from Wuhan after they expressed a desire to return, News24 reported.
They include teachers and other professionals currently working in Wuhan.
Seven other South Africans have chosen to stay in the city.
President #Ramaphosa: The people we are bringing back are all healthy and not sick, we need to make that clear to the entire nation. We are not fetching disease, we are bringing back healthy young people whose parents have reached out to us. Many of us are parents. #COVID19SA pic.twitter.com/TzaTaX6ohy
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) March 10, 2020
Commander-in-Chief of the #SANDF President @CyrilRamaphosa with the team of military personnel that will be leaving South Africa tonight to embark on a mission to repatriate South African citizens who are currently in Wuhan, China, at the epicentre of the #CoronaVirus #COVID19SA pic.twitter.com/No9MNR8X2I
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) March 10, 2020
The University of Johannesburg and Wits University are in the process of suspending the use of their biometric access control systems as a precaution against the spread of Covid-19. UJ says the suspension will take effect tomorrow while Wits is still in the process of disabling its system, so staff and students will only need their cards for access.
The Gauteng health department hopes the addition of a new icon to its mobile app, Mpilo, will help it in its fight against the virus. This after 7 people tested positive for the virus in South Africa. The icon on the app allows members of the community to screen themselves and provide relevant information in the process.
Meanwhile back in Cape Town, the City says it’s ensuring that all facilities are prepared to deal with the outbreak. The Mayco member for Health, Zahid Badroodien says all staff members are trained to respond to any patient in the event of a suspected case.
