The Western Cape Department of Finance and Economic Opportunities says the province has, to date, spent more than R1.7-billion on covid-19 expenses. For the period 01 April to 31 October 2020, the total covid-19 expenditure for Western Cape provincial departments totalled R1.703-bilion. The Department says of the total spent on Covid-19 expenditure, R731.7-million, or 42.8-%, was spent on SMMEs.