Johannesburg - A Spanish contractor who was thought to have possibly contracted Covid-19 has been cleared of the virus, Absa bank said on Friday.
The bank said the man's test samples were negative for the virus which has claimed more than 5000 lives globally.
In South Africa, as of Friday 5pm, 24 people have been infected, with no fatalities in South Africa.
Absa said the Spanish contractor was at their premises on Thursday and reported to the company's health clinic after experiencing symptoms.
"Further to the notification we provided yesterday, Absa wishes to convey to the public that we have been informed that the results for individual who was tested for COVID-19 have come back negative. This outcome has been reported to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in line with stipulated guidelines," said Gugulethu Maqetuka, a spokesperson for Absa in a statement issued on Friday.
Absa colleagues who had been in contact with the individual, and who were also requested to self-isolate as a precautionary measure, have been cleared to return to work.
"Absa has in place protocols to educate and protect its employees in the wake of the global COVID19 pandemic, and will continue to work closely with health officials and experts to monitor the situation and prepare to respond in accordance with best practice," Maqetuka said.