in brief

“OUR FUNDAMENTAL TASK ATTHIS MOMENT IS TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.”

– announced the South African government’s imposition of a nationwide lockdown for21 days from midnight on 26 March to try to contain theCovid-19 outbreak in the country. The lockdown forces most businesses to close, aside from essential services in safety and security, food and distribution, telecommunications and electricity. At the time of his address on 23 March, the country’s health ministry had reported 402 confirmed cases. Ramaphosa said the aim of the lockdown was to