With the number of infections dwindling and a total 14.6 million vaccine doses administered, South Africa is relaxing restrictions to Alert Level 2 from today.
But although South Africa is fast becoming a vaccinated site, and it is easier for people to access vaccinations wherever they are, President Cyril Ramaphosa last night warned of the risks of not taking the jab. Citing stats of the Western Cape Health Department he said 96% and 98% of the people over 60 who were hospitalised and died respectively between 14 and 20 August this year, were not vaccinated.
The relaxed lockdown restrictions include an extended curfew, longer trading hours for alcohol sales and larger gatherings – the number of people permitted at public gatherings, now 250 indoors and 500 outdoors from 50 and 100 before, and the possibility of vaccine passports will make it easier for political parties to campaign for the upcoming municipal elections.
The vaccine passports will accelerate the opening of sporting and other events and aid the government’s efforts to return the economy to full operation and create the jobs the country needs, he said. The new restrictions will be reviewed in two weeks.
But for anyone hoping to see light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel over the next three to six months, scientists have some bad news: Brace for more of what we’ve already been through.
In other exciting news, Apple, which has retained the top spot as the most intimate brand during Covid-19, is rumoured to release the first iPhone with 1TB of storage tomorrow in its annual gauntlet of iPhone reveals. Top Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (h/t 9to5Mac) is also touting a bigger choice of AirPods and warns of possible supply shortages.
The top 10 brands in the 2021 Brand Intimacy Covid Study are Apple, Amazon, Disney, Target, YouTube, Toyota, Walmart, Costco, Harley-Davidson and Google.
Here’s a roundup of the world’s top and most interesting headlines:
SA Business
Hawks have Safa in the corruption crosshairs – Daily Maverick
How an ex-Nando’s franchisee grew a small Mbombela chicken shop to 160 franchised stores – Business Insider
South Africa’s literacy rates plunge deeper as learning time is lost – Daily Maverick
Global Business
A leaked tax plan draft shows how Democrats want to raise $2.9 trillion from wealthy Americans and big corporations, rolling back Trump-era tax cuts – Business Insider
A short history of every time Apple CEO Tim Cook praised augmented reality – The Verge
Apple erases nearly $85bn in value after App Store ruling – Bloomberg
Markets
China tech shares drop on latest volley of online curbs – Bloomberg
Gold down as dollar continues to strengthen – Investing.com
Most Asian markets drop as record US inflation fans taper talk – AFP
Opinion/In-depth
The ANC, a tax evader? Massive debt, unpaid salaries, dry donation taps – Daily Maverick
How much sugar is packed into your favourite chocolate bars – Business Tech
Overcoming vaccine hesitancy: ‘I was concerned the trials skipped safety protocols’ – Health24
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