IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

COVID-19, Coronavirus, social distancing or lockdown have become the talk of town. This is a period that will definitely find its way into the world’s history books. Many businesses were forced to put their operations on hold, workers, pupils and students have been forced to stay at home and the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) and South African Police Service (SAPS) deployed to patrol the streets of South Africa. It is indeed unprecedented and has changed life as we know it, including the operations
of Statistics South Africa (Stats SA). Since most businesses are closed over the period of the lockdown, and movement is restricted, data collection for both economic and household surveys will not be possible. However, the social statistics releases for the months of March to May will not be impacted
as fieldwork for these surveys has already been completed.

Since the lockdown prohibits public atherings, the Human Rights Day celebration on 21 March was cancelled. Also, as the lockdown continues, the Freedom Day celebrations will be canceled. This is the first time since 1994 that the country will not have any public gatherings to commemorate
these days.

Download Mbalo Brief April 2020