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HomeBreaking NewsMkhize: No confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no travels bans as yet

Mkhize: No confirmed cases of COVID-19 and no travels bans as yet

The South African government was not considering any travel or trade bans at this point, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a briefing to MPs on the global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. News24 reports that Mkhize told Parliament's health portfolio committee that, given the fact that South Africa had not had any confirmed cases of the COVID-19 disease, it would not be cancelling any big international events or closing any of its ports of entry. "We are going to be observing and monitoring how the situation pans out. At the moment, we stay as we are, but the situation is evolving. I can never tell what will happen in the future."

The minister said he would not be divulging the date on which more than 150 South Africans stranded in Wuhan, the epicentre of the Chinese coronavirus outbreak, would be repatriated back to South Africa. He did, however, add that none had exhibited any symptoms of the virus.

"I'm aware that preparations are at an advanced stage and the defence force is in the process of procuring the aircraft and the staff for China. We're also activating all our people in China to make sure they give us all the necessary information." The health department said it was consulting with authorities in China, Canada and the US on quarantine protocols. "We can treat any patient landing in this country, and we have every province ready to treat such people," Mkhize told the committee.

[link url="https://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/no-sa-coronavirus-cancellations-or-travel-bans-for-now-zweli-mkhize-20200304"]Full News24 report[/link]

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