President announces Covid-19 emergency
There has been a travel ban on individuals coming in from high and medium risk countries which includes China, Iran, Korea, Germany, Italy and Spain.
HIGHVELD – A state of disaster has been declared and the government is taking drastic steps to minimise the spread of the Covid-19 virus which already has 61 confirmed cases in South Africa at the time of going to press on Monday, 16 March.
This came after President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Sunday, 15 March, saying that all non-essential gatherings of more than 100 people will be prohibited and all mass celebrations and government functions will be cancelled, such as Human Rights Day events.
Stricter measurements will need to be taken by organisers for smaller gatherings.
He went on to say that all schools will be closed from 18 March until after the Easter Weekend. The June school holiday will be cut by one week.
A travel ban was placed on individuals coming in from high and medium risk countries which include China, Iran, Korea, Germany, Italy and Spain. Visas have been cancelled for people wanting to enter South Africa from these high to medium risk areas.
Any South African citizen who has travelled from mid-February onwards in high risk and medium risk areas will be subjected to additional screening.
A total of 35 land ports will be shut down. Non-essential international travel for the government has been banned and local travel has been limited.
South Africans were discouraged to use non-essential domestic travel or public modes of transport.
President Ramaphosa believes that “if we act swiftly, we can limit the effects of the disease”.
He appealed to the nation to practice safe hygiene. “Wash hands regularly, cough into a tissue or flexed elbow, avoid people with flu or cold symptoms, limit contact with people and greet with the elbow.”
Mr Ramaphosa vowed that the government will make funding available to support the critical sectors affected by the virus.
He warned South Africans that in the last few weeks there had been a dramatic drop in the economy and South Africans can expect further economic strains due to the virus outbreak.
Also read:
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/158115/covid-19-case-not-confirmed-secunda/
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