The announcement made by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize comes less than a day since President Cyril Ramaphosa publicised the decision to implement a 21-day countrywide lockdown - beginning Thursday at midnight. Only absolutely essential personnel such as doctors, nurses, police, and those requiring medical care will be allowed to leave home for restricted periods. Individuals will not be allowed to leave their homes except under strictly controlled circumstances. During this period, clinics, pharmacies, food-stores and hospitals will remain open. Mkhize says two patients are in ICU in private hospitals and there are no deaths at this stage. He said numbers of positive cases are still expected to increase in the next week or two. But measures like the lockdown will help flatten the curve.

Meanwhile less than two dozen South Africans stranded in Morocco have added their voice to the call for the government to intensify efforts to repatriate citizens abroad. Spokesperson for the group, James de Wet, applauds the Moroccan government for declaring a state of emergency early, effectively barring commercial flights into the country as of 20 March. They, however, plead with the South African government to finalise repatriation discussions soon, so that they can be with their loved ones. De Wet says the current conditions in Morocco, Casablanca in particular, are difficult. From the older persons who are running out of chronic medication to the lack of accommodation due to the number of hotels closing down amidst the outbreak. De Wet also says food is running out.

This is a developing story.

OFM News