COVID-19 protocols - The African Mirror

Feb

2021

South African hotel turns to machines to beat pandemic

KIRTHANA PILLAY STAFF at Hotel Sky in Johannesburg's wealthy Sandton district adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols, wearing masks and physically distancing from guests as much as possible; all, that is, except Lexi, Micah and Ariel. For the three concierges couldn't breathe germs on you even if they wanted to: they're robots. Robot hospitality is not new - Japanese hotels have been deploying them for years and in 2015 Tokyo's Henn'na, or 'Strange', hotel became the first to be fully staffed by machines. Several robot-staffed Tokyo hotels are now using them to serve guests with mild COVID-19 symptoms. But Hotel Sky,…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

COVID-19 stops Zondo Commission

COVID-19

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER COVID-19, the virus that has killed over 34 000 South Africa and infected over 1.2-million has put brakes on the Zondo Commission into state capture. Presiding officer, Deputy Judge President Judge Zondo was forced to stop the hearings after the lunch break because he had come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Zondo, following the government’s COVID-19 protocols, stopped the hearing and has gone into isolation. It is expected that the commission staff that has been in contact with him would also go into isolation. “We are supposed to continue but we are…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Nigeria to bar those who flout COVID-19 test rules from flying

COVID-19

NIGERIA will bar passengers who fail to follow the country's COVID-19 protocol from flying for six months, according to an official. Passengers returning to Nigeria are currently required to test for COVID-19 both before they board return flights and seven days after they arrive. They also must pay for the tests in advance. Dr Sani Aliyu, coordinator of Nigeria's COVID-19 task force, said 60% of those who pre-paid for tests had failed to show up for them. "These passengers will not be allowed to travel for a period of six months," Aliyu said. "We hope that we do not need…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa opens its borders to international travel, cautions of new COVID-19 surge

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH Africa is to open its borders to international travelers, relax restrictions on alcohol sales but warned of a resurgence of COVID-19. SA president Cyril Ramaphosa, in an address to the nation, said international travel would be subject to strict COVID-19 protocols. He said the state of national disaster, declared in response to COVID-19, has been extended to January 15. He also announced that South Africa would embark on five days of mourning - November 25 to 29 - for those who died of COVID-19 and gender-based violence. Ramaphosa said while South African has made impressive progress…