On Sunday the 15 March 2020, The President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa announced measures to combat the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid 19) in South Africa after a special cabinet meeting.
These include:
Declaring a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act.
A travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and China.
Discouraging all non-essential domestic travel, particularly by air, rail, taxis and bus.
Gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited.
Mass celebrations of upcoming national days such as Human Rights Day and other large government events are cancelled.
Schools will be closed from Wednesday, 18 March, and will remain closed until after the Easter Weekend. (Mid-year school holidays will be shortened by a week).
Visits to all correctional centres (prisons) are suspended for 30 days immediately.
We are also encouraged to do the following:
Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or into your flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.