Alan Hammond

Because of the drop in new cases of Covid-19 in the country the President has announced a relaxation of the lockdown regulations. It's good news for those who like to stay up late, or wake up early, but there are still many restrictions in place and Cyril Ramaphosa has reiterated that the chance of a third wave, or the arrival of new variants are still things we have to be concerned about.

The University of Johannesburg is open for late applications from the 23rd of February. Please note - no walk-ins allowed - only online applications. 

NSFAS have confirmed that they are dropping funding for many courses including BTECH, teaching, nursing and other degrees. The information came to light just as the class of 2020 were hoping to get their matric results and finalise their study options for the year. NSFAS clarified that they were only stopping funding for courses that were be phased out.

The Matric final exams of 2020 were marred with controversy when it was announced that two exam papers had been leaked before they were written. The Education Department wanted the papers to be re-written but the courts ruled against them. An investigation had to be held to determine whether the final exam marks could be released. The 1 million learners who wrote the exams will be glad to know that the report has now been released.

Plans were in place to start vaccinating health workers against Covid-19 possibly as early as this week. However there has been some bad news about the effectiveness of the AstraZeneca vaccine - the specific vaccine that South Africa received 1 million doses of this week. Now all the plans are being reconsidered.

Due to a clear decline in new cases, hospital admissions, and deaths from Covid-19 the national Cabinet has announced that restrictions on the sale of alcohol and visits to the beach and other outdoor areas have been eased.  Restaurants and other night-businesses will be pleased to see that the curfew has been moved back to start at 11pm.

As the country waits for the first million doses of vaccine against Covid-19 to arrive on the 1st February, the Health Minister has confirmed that the country has secured an additional 20 million doses, this time of the Pfizer vaccine.

Originally the Education Department said they hoped independent schools would delay their opening dates for term one, but they couldn't force them. Now the government has released regulations that specify when private schools can open - and those who have opened early will have to close again.

The enrollment of students at Unisa has to match the numbers planned as there are dangers if there are either too many or too few enrolled, explains Higher Education Minister Dr Blade Nzimande.

The President has announced an update on the measures taken to battle the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic ravaging the country. While the lockdown level 3 will remain with some additional measures, there were not the more significant restrictions that some were speculating about.