[BREAKING] Coronavirus: South Africa To Lockdown For 21 Days

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced 21 days lockdown in South Africa over fears of COVID-19.

During the lockdown, which will last until midnight on Thursday, April 16, all South Africans will have to stay at home, though there will be exemptions for health workers in the public and private sectors; emergency personnel; and those working in security services such as police, traffic officers and soldiers.

All South Africans will have to stay at home, though there will be exemptions for health workers in the public and private sectors; emergency personnel; and those working in security services such as police, traffic officers and soldiers.

SA is going into lockdown, the president confirmed: “The National Coronavirus Command Council has decided to enforce a nationwide lockdown for 21 days, with effect from midnight, Thursday, March 26.”

“In SA, the number of confirmed cases has increased six-fold in just eight days, from 61 cases to 402 cases. This number will continue to rise,” President Cyril Ramaphosa told South Africans on Monday night in a live televised address to the nation. The country’s fundamental task is to “contain the spread of the disease”, he said.

ABN TV reports South Africa has 274 confirmed coronavirus cases, health minister Zweli Mkhize made the announcement on Sunday evening after President Cyril Ramaphosa postponed his address to the nation.