President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a national lockdown effective from Thursday 26th March 2020, Ramaphosa said this during his national address at the Union buildings on Monday.
The national shutdown is to help fight the increasing rate of the Covid-19 virus. On Sunday the 15th of March, Ramaphosa declared a national state disaster in terms of the disaster management act to intervene on the current crisis facing the country and the world as a whole.
According to the President, government has learnt a great deal from other countries that acted swiftly and dramatically have been more active in controlling the spread of the disease.
“As a consequence the national corona virus command council has decided to enforce a nation wide lockdown for 21 days with effect from midnight on Thursday the 26th of March.” Said the President.
This means no one is expected to been seen on the streets or anywhere in town, except for public servants. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has been to deployed to assist the South African Police Services (SAPS) with maintaining that all procedures fall into place.
However the lockdown doesn’t include essential services like petrol stations, pharmacies, banks and supermarkets but some stores will be required to close.
A list containing categories of businesses that should remain open will be published.
The health ministry has confirmed that South Africa is currently sitting at 402 cases on the virus.
