Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in self-isolation with mild symptoms. Image: Supplied/GCIS
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau has tested positive for COVID-19. This Parks Tau COVID test result was confirmed on Tuesday 3 June 2026. The minister has gone into isolation in line with health protocols. Furthermore, his department has confirmed that his official duties will continue remotely during his recovery period.
Parks Tau COVID Test: What We Know
Minister Tau confirmed his positive COVID-19 test result in a statement released on Tuesday. He said he was experiencing mild symptoms. Furthermore, he confirmed that he had immediately gone into self-isolation following the positive result. He urged anyone who had been in close contact with him in recent days to monitor their health and seek testing if necessary.
The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition confirmed that the minister’s work would continue remotely. Therefore, his policy and administrative responsibilities will not be interrupted during his isolation period.
COVID-19 in South Africa in 2026
COVID-19 remains a manageable but ongoing public health concern in South Africa. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases continues to monitor COVID-19 cases across the country. Furthermore, health authorities have consistently urged South Africans to remain vigilant, particularly those who are immunocompromised or in high-risk categories.
Tau’s positive test is a reminder that COVID-19 has not disappeared. However, the severity of cases has reduced significantly since the early years of the pandemic. Most vaccinated individuals experience mild symptoms. As a result, the public health response to individual positive cases is now managed through self-isolation rather than broader restrictions.
Who Is Parks Tau
Parks Tau serves as Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Government of National Unity cabinet. He is a former Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, having served in that role from 2011 to 2016. He is a senior ANC figure and has been closely involved in South Africa’s industrial policy and economic development agenda since his appointment to the cabinet following the 2024 national elections.
For more information on COVID-19 protocols visit nicd.ac.za.
Editors Note All information in this article is based on the official statement released by Minister Parks Tau and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition on 3 June 2026.