President announces a 21-day lockdown that will virtually shut down the struggling economy
President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation from the Union Buildings in Tshwane on the government’s response to contain and combat the rapid spread of the Covid-19 outbreak. Picture: GCIS
Acknowledging the effect this will have on people’s livelihoods, the president also announced measures to support small businesses and protect employees. Ramaphosa’s announcement comes barely a week after he declared a national disaster on March 15 and implemented what were at the time Africa’s most stringent restrictions on travel and mass gatherings, including the closure of schools, a ban on travellers from hard-hit countries and a ban on alcohol sales after 6pm.
The new steps follow a meeting Ramaphosa convened with business leaders on Sunday, which was immediately followed by a meeting of the National Command Council, which he established to co-ordinate SA’s response to Covid-19.A planned address to the nation on Sunday was delayed as the government grappled with the trade-off between saving lives and further harming the economy, and whether to impose a staged or immediate lockdown.
People will be confined to their homes from Friday morning, and will be allowed to leave only to shop for essentials such as food and medicines, to seek healthcare, or collect social grants. Essential workers, including people who work in health care, emergency services, the police, army, and in the production and distribution of vital supplies such as food and pharmaceuticals are exempted.
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