The minister of social development, Lindiwe Sisulu, says this is to limit the congestion and overcrowding at retail stores and other paypoints.

This comes as a response to the State of National Disaster as announced by the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on 15 March 2020.

Sisulu says additional measures will be implemented to manage numbers at all pay points to ensure that hygiene protocols for everyone are strictly followed and social distancing is maintained.

The older persons and persons with disabilities will be able to access their payments from 30 and 31 March 2020.

Meanwhile, other beneficiaries will be able to access their grants from 1 April 2020.

"We are aware that the impact of Covid19 will be felt much harder by the most vulnerable in society - especially the elderly. We will monitor all pay points, especially those in the rural areas and work with all MECs of Social Development and Provincial and Regional SASSA," Sisulu said.

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