You could go to jail for sharing fake news about Covid-19. Do not pass begin

[Risk Insights: Launch of first machine learning ESG Sustainability Rating Model: Digital]( [Mail & Guardian Newsletter logo](#) [mg.co.za]( [Divider Strip] Your Daily Briefing [Divider Strip] March 19 2020 | [View in browser]( [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( Hi there, The national state of disaster has officially come into effect with government publishing the gazetted regulations that will be enforced during this period. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the national state of disaster on Sunday in a bid to stem the growing number of positive [Covid-19 cases]( in South Africa. The regulations which were published on Wednesday, form part of the [Disaster Management Act]( were signed off by Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma -- the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister -- on Tuesday. Among these regulations is an unprecedented stipulation about fake news. Six months in jail is nothing to sniff at. Spreading false information about the coronavirus is now a crime, punishable by a stint in jail, a fine, or both. This comes amidst warnings from public health officials against the publication of false news about Covid-19. So, don't be that person, please. Other measures include legally enforcing testing, treatment and quarantine or isolation of suspected cases. Earlier this week, a [Gauteng family refused to be isolated]( after testing positive and had to be brought in by police after a court order. Visits to prisons have been suspended, and gatherings of more than 100 people are now prohibited by law. Gatherings of more than 50 people will also be banned if alcohol is present. Let's all try to be responsible during these uncertain times, not just for ourselves but for the many, many people who may not be able to recover from infection. [Download the regulations here.]( What's happening in the newsroom For the last week, the Mail & Guardian newsroom has been encouraged to work from home. A small number of us are still working from the office and enjoying the relative quiet. We've been using Google Meet for our meetings -- with some complaining that the screeching sound of too many unmuted mics is likely to bring on permanent eardrum damage. On the plus, it turns out many of those important meetings could have been an email or Slack message. It's not clear how the three feuding tribes emerged, but it's thought that Zoom, Hangouts and Teams have their origins in the 2020 Corona virus outbreak. -- Karl Sharro (@KarlreMarks) [March 19, 2020]( Follow our [live blog on the coronavirus pandemic here](. If you have questions or concerns, contact us on EditorOnline@mg.co.za and don't forget to subscribe. Want others to subscribe to this newsletter? [Forward them this link](. Yours faithfully Kiri Rupiah Online Editor [Divider Strip] [Facebook icon]( [Twitter icon]( [Instagram icon]( [LinkedIn icon]( You are receiving this email on {EMAIL} because 1.) You're a member of "Mail & Guardian" or 2.) previously subscribed [M&G logo] 25 Owl St, Braamfontein Werf, Johannesburg, 2092 Want to be removed? No problem! [UNSUBSCRIBE]( Email support: help@media-connect.co.za - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -