“On Saturday we had said we are consulting. We had consulted about allowing cigarettes and related products – tobacco. Even at that press conference there was quite an opposition to that. 

"Even in the public comments there was quite an opposition – more than 2,000 people opposed that,” the minister said during a national command council briefing in Pretoria.

“The government then took that into consideration and decided that we must continue as we are when it comes to cigarettes and tobacco products. The reasons are health-related. 

"As we know, besides the effects of tobacco on a person’s lungs, but also on the way it is shared does not allow for social distancing.”

Dlamini-Zuma said smoking would encourage the spread of the novel coronavirus. The sale of alcohol will also remain prohibited.

The minister also announced that South Africans are now permitted to leave their homes for exercise.

“Under these regulations, you can cycle, you can run, you can walk but this has to be within your neighbourhood. You should be within about five kilometres radius of your home. It will not be under organised groups. 

"You cannot run as a group but you can also do that [between] 6am and 9am,” Dlamini-Zuma said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday announced that South Africa will be easing the lockdown regulations from the current level five to a level four from May 1, but the country’s borders will remain closed. 

“When the country moves to level four on 1 May, our borders will remain closed to international travel, except for the repatriation of South African nationals and foreign citizens. 

"No travel will be allowed between provinces, except for the transportation of goods and exceptional circumstances such as funerals,” the president said in a televised address to the nation. 

“Public transport will continue to operate, with limitations on the number of passengers and stringent hygiene requirements, including that all passengers must wear a face mask.” 

Ramaphosa said the public was encouraged to stay at home, other than for essential personal movement, doing essential work and work in sectors that were under controlled opening. 

“People can exercise under strict public health conditions. All gatherings, apart from funerals and work, will remain prohibited. Those who are elderly and those with underlying conditions, must remain at home and take additional precautions to isolate themselves,” Ramaphosa said.

African News Agency