• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
No Result
View All Result
1
Home South Africa

CORONAVIRUS: South Africa effects 21-day lockdown

23 March 2020, 8:36 PM  |
SABC SABC |  @SABCNews
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Image: SABC News

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a 21-day nationwide lockdown amid the rapid rise in the COVID-19 infection rates in the country. The Department of Health earlier issued a statement putting the number of infections in the country at a staggering 402.

The new measures will add further restrictions to the current ones which were pronounced a week ago under the state of national disaster.

They effectively restrict the movements of citizens with the exception of essential personnel such as those in the medical profession, the military, police, persons involved in food production, and some patients; among others.

A decision by the National Command Council chaired by Ramaphosa, the lockdown has been implemented under the Disaster Management Act.

The President’s full speech is in the video below: 

 

‘Dramatic response’

Ramaphosa has called on South Africans to strictly comply with the new measures, citing concerns in particular, about the living conditions of impoverished communities and those who are in poor health.

“Our analysis of the progress of the epidemic informs us that we need to urgently and dramatically escalate our response,” he said.

To enforce compliance, the President says the military will be deployed to assist the South African Police Services.

The government has set up a 24-hour public hotline number which members of the public are urged to make use of if they suspect they may have contracted the virus.

Warning against panic buying and price hikes

President Ramaphosa has also called on South Africans to avoid panic buying, which has been on the rise since he announced the state of national disaster last week. Most big retailers were left with empty shelves as South Africans stocked up on different items.

Items that such as toilet paper, hand sanitisers and non-perishable foods have been the most popular as citizens move to ensure they don’t contract the virus, which is best prevented by good hygiene.

Some shops came under heavy criticism after they began hiking prices of basic goods, something the president warned against in his speech.

While most shops will remain closed during the lockdown period, supermarkets and fuel stations are among those that will remain open.

“Companies that are essential to the production and transportation of food, basic goods and medical supplies will remain open. We will publish a full list of the categories of businesses that should remain open,” said Ramaphosa.

 

Below is an outline of the safety measures to be taken to prevent infection: 


COVID-19 Safety Precautions by SABC Digital News

The lockdown will come into effect on at midnight on 26 March until midnight 16 April. 

Share article
Tags: National lockdownLockdown
Previous Post

Ethiopia shuts borders to slow spread of coronavirus

Next Post

SA under national lockdown for 21 days

Related Posts

Natassja Jansen after being granted bail

Natassja Jansen’s legal counsel welcomes her bail conditions

29 May 2023, 5:40 PM
File: Collins Chabane Municipality mayor Moses Maluleke speaking at an event

Current Collins Chabane Mayor wants predecessor’s murder case quickly concluded

29 May 2023, 4:17 PM
Babies inside of cardboard boxes at Mahikeng Hospital in the North West

Unions protest against suspension of nurses in newborns in a box debacle

29 May 2023, 3:01 PM
Five accused appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate court for formal bail application on May 23, 2023.

VIDEO: Accused 1 to 4 in Thabo Bester escape denied bail

29 May 2023, 1:46 PM
Five accused appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate court for formal bail application on May 23, 2023.

Court to decide on bail application of five accused in Thabo Bester escape

29 May 2023, 11:15 AM
Roaming water tanker is seen driving around in Temba, Hammanskraal.

President Ramaphosa demands accountability for 24 deaths due to waterborne disease

29 May 2023, 10:51 AM
Next Post
President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africans will not be allowed to leave their homes.

SA under national lockdown for 21 days

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • DENOSA defends nurses for placing newborns in boxes
  • Limpopo teacher writes a book which simplifies Maths
  • North West Health probes why newborn babies were placed in boxes
  • Majodina refutes allegations of soliciting a bribe from Mkhwebane
  • Pending court cases interfering with my duties: AmaZulu King
  • Dr Nandipha’s looks during court appearances under the spotlight
  • Experts raise caution over Prime energy drink craze
  • 108-carat ‘fancy intense pink’ diamond discovered in Lesotho
  • Dr Nandipha Magudumana, co-accused in Thabo Bester’s escape to apply for bail
  • Reserve Bank expected to increase repo rate on Thursday
  • Limpopo teacher writes a book which simplifies Maths
  • Highly unlikely Majodina attempted to solicit funds from Mkhwebane: FF+
  • Bester’s lawyer to challenge procedures of his re-arrest in Tanzania
  • VIDEO: Accused 1 to 4 in Thabo Bester escape denied bail
  • Alleged rhino poaching kingpin to appear in court

LATEST

Natassja Jansen after being granted bail
  • Thabo Bester saga
  • South Africa

Natassja Jansen’s legal counsel welcomes her bail conditions


Smoke rises above buildings after an aerial bombardment, during clashes between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and the army in Khartoum North
  • Africa

UN warns more than one million may flee Sudan conflict


File: Collins Chabane Municipality mayor Moses Maluleke speaking at an event
  • South Africa

Current Collins Chabane Mayor wants predecessor’s murder case quickly concluded


Mauricio Pochettino applauds fans after a match.
  • Sport

Pochettino handed task of reviving Chelsea’s fortunes


Cows graze as steam rises from the cooling towers of Matla Power Station, a coal-fired power plant operated by Eskom in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, May 20,2018
  • Eskom rolling blackouts
  • Business

Scientist finds solution to extending life of power plants’ rotors


Türkiye President Tayyip Erdogan
  • World

Türkiye’s Erdogan triumphs in election test, extending 20-year rule


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2023

Previous Ethiopia shuts borders to slow spread of coronavirus
Next SA under national lockdown for 21 days