South Africa’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently isolating at home, his department announced late on June 3, 2026. The positive diagnosis comes at an inopportune time for the minister, who was scheduled to co-chair a high-level bilateral business forum with Kenyan trade officials on Thursday in Midrand.
According to a statement released by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, Minister Tau began experiencing mild flu-like symptoms on the evening of June 2. He subsequently took a rapid antigen test, which returned a positive result. A follow-up PCR test confirmed the initial finding. The department emphasized that Tau is in good spirits, has been fully vaccinated with booster doses, and is managing his symptoms at home under the guidance of his physicians. “There is currently no cause for alarm, and the minister continues to perform his duties remotely where possible,” the statement read.
Tau has urged all individuals who came into close contact with him over the past week to get tested and observe necessary health precautions, including mask-wearing and social distancing. His office is assisting with contact tracing efforts, though officials noted that the minister’s recent schedule had been relatively light, potentially limiting the number of direct exposures.
The positive case arrives amid a broader context of very low COVID-19 transmission in South Africa. The latest national surveillance data shows zero detections in samples collected during late May, with wastewater monitoring indicating only sporadic traces of the virus in a handful of municipalities. Leading epidemiologists have noted that while infections have not disappeared entirely, they continue to occur at low severity thanks to widespread population immunity from prior infections and high vaccination coverage among vulnerable groups.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has assured the public and business partners that no operational disruptions are expected. Deputy Minister Fikile Majola will represent South Africa at the Kenya business forum. The department says it will provide recovery updates on Minister Tau’s condition in due course, adding that the incident serves as a reminder that COVID-19 has not been eradicated, even as the country has moved past the emergency phase of the pandemic.
About The Author
