Home South African Trade, Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel tests positive for Covid-19

Trade, Industry Minister Ebrahim Patel tests positive for Covid-19

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Trade, Industry, and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel. File picture: ANA

TRADE, Industry, and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Presidency said on Saturday.

Patel had received his test results on Saturday, the Presidency said in a statement.

“This was the minister’s second test to be conducted since the outbreak of this virus. Minister Patel is in good spirits and is in self-quarantine, and will continue to work from home. Those that have been in contact with the minister are also in self-isolation and have been encouraged to get tested,” the Presidency said.

On Friday, Patel had participated in the virtual parliamentary budget vote debate on the revised budget for the Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition (dtic).

The minister remained committed to preparing South Africa for the post-covid world, strengthening efforts around reconstruction and recovery. As part of his budget debate speech on Friday, Patel had announced that every directorate of the dtic and every agency within its mandate would prioritise saving businesses and jobs during this period.

“As we wish the minister a speedy recovery, we extend the same well-wishes to the thousands of South Africans and their families who are also battling the coronavirus. To defeat this virus, we must all continue playing our part in observing all health protocols of washing our hands regularly, properly wearing a mask when in public, and practising physical distancing,” the Presidency said. 

Other Cabinet ministers who have recently tested positive for the virus include Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi, who are both in hospital, and Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who has already recovered.

Three of the nine premiers, David Makhura of Gauteng, Alan Winde of the Western Cape, and Job Mokgoro of the North West, have also tested positive.

– African News Agency (ANA)

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