Phase 2 Vaccinations Off to a Slow Start, Govt Promises Capacity Boost Next Week

LOCAL NEWS

• Phase 2 vaccinations are off to a slow start, with only 39,371 people over 60 inoculated with the first dose. 700,000 healthcare workers not vaccinated under phase 1 still need to be vaccinated.
  • Govt says capacity would be bolstered as more sites would come online next week. Researchers note a speed of over 100,000 vaccinations per are needed to meet targets.
• Opposition parties criticise Govt's 1.5% + cash bonus wage offer to unions after it had insisted there was no money to pay above a 0% increase.
  • DA says the offer amounts to R15.6bn in extra funding Govt would need to find amid tight financial conditions

Data: (all times BST)

• 0900: CPI y/y exp at 4.3% vs 3.2% prior
• 0900: CPI m/m exp at 0.5% vs 0.7% prior
• 0900: CPI Core y/y exp at 2.8% vs 2.5% prior
• 0900: CPI Core m/m exp at 0.1%% vs 0.5% prior
• 1200: Retail sales y/y exp at 2.5% vs 2.3% prior
• 1200: Retail sales m/m exp at -0.2% vs 6.9% prior