Ramaphosa extends lockdown by 2 weeks

Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Thursday evening – 14 days into the 21-day lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The president also confirmed that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases now stands at 1934.

Ramaphosa said there is enough evidence to show that the lockdown has helped flatten the curve of the outbreak.

"While it is too early to make a definitive analysis of the progression of the disease in the country, there is sufficient evidence to show that the lockdown is indeed working.

"Since the lockdown came into effect, the rate at which the new cases have been identified has slowed down.”

Ramaphosa confirmed that all the existing regulations will remain in place.

"The coronavirus command council has decided to extend the nationwide lockdown by a further two weeks beyond the initial 21 days.

"This means that most of the existing lockdown measures will remain until the end of April.”

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Ramaphosa warned of an uncontrollable spike in infections if the lockdown were to lifted too soon.

"The struggle against the coronavirus is far from over. We are only at the beginning of a monumental struggle that demands our every resource and our every effort. We cannot relax. We cannot be complacent.

"We are learning, both of the experiences of other countries, and the evidence we now have of the development of the pandemic in South Africa.

"Simply put, if we end the lockdown to soon or too abruptly we run the risk of an uncontrollable resurgence of the disease. We risk reversing the gains we have made and rendering meaningless the great sacrifices we have all made.”

The council will meet in the next few days to discuss ways to stabilise the economy.

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