SOUTH AFRICA DECLARES A STATE OF NATIONAL DISASTER

President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the media at Union Buildings in Pretoria  Image by : Phil Makagoe/AFP

Nokwanda Ncwane

The President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a state of national disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act. Ramaphosa held a press conference tonight at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Addressing the media and citizens of South Africa, Ramaphosa highlighted that the declaration will enable South Africa to deal with disaster management mechanism that will focus on preventing and reducing the outbreak of Corona Virus. 

Due to the increase in number of cases of Covid-19 in South Africa and around the world, the cabinet has decided on the following measures :

1. To impose a travel ban on foreign national from high risk countries such as Spain, Iran, Italy, China, South Korea, Germany, USA and UK. 

2. A cancellation of visas to visitors from the countries named above and previously granted visas are revoked.

3. Limitation of contact between persons who may be infected and South African citizens.

4. South African citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or through the European Union, United Kingdom, United States and other identified high risk countries, effective immediately.

5. Any foreign national who has visited the high risk countries in the past 20 days will be denied a visa.

6. South African citizens returning from high risk countries will be subjected to testing and self isolation on return to South Africa.

7. All travellers who have entered South Africa from high risk countries since mid-February will be required to present themselves for testing.

8. Surveillance, screening and testing measures will be strengthened at the OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airports.

9. South Africa has 72 ports of entry which are through the land, sea and airports. Of the 53 land ports, 35 will be shut down with effect from 16 March 2020. 

10. Gatherings of more than 100 people will be prohibited. Mass celebrations of upcoming days such as Human Rights Day and other large government events will be cancelled.

11. Where small gatherings are unavoidable, organisers are advised to put in place strong hygiene measures.

12. Schools will be closed from 18 March 2020 and will remain closed until after the Easter weekend. To compensate, the mid-year holidays will be shortened by a week.

13. Visits to all correctional services are suspended for 30 days with immediate effect.

14. Shopping malls, entertainment centres and other places frequented by larger numbers of people must bolster their hygiene control.

15. Capacity is being increased in the designated hospitals in all 9 provinces of South Africa.

People are encouraged to wash their hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds. People are also advised to cover their mouths with tissue or reflex elbow when coughing and sneezing. 

According to President Ramaphosa, as of 15 March, 62 people have tested positive for the Corona Virus, this includes local cases of transmission, however no one has succumbed to the virus.