President Cyril Ramaphosa to address the nation at 8pm
- by Virginia Carter
- in World Media
- — Jan 13, 2021
His update on lockdown restrictions came amid a record number of Covid-19 infections, deaths and hospitalisations, with 15 046 new infections and 416 new deaths recorded by Monday.
South Africa is the worst-hit country in Africa and has reported 1.2 million cases of Covid-19 and at least 33,000 deaths.
"Research. has shown that the massive increase in infections is largely driven by a variant of the virus", he said. "This places a huge strain on health facilities, staff and equipment".
One third of those are on oxygen, he added.
The President's address will be broadcast and streamed on a range of platforms that are accessible to South Africans and worldwide audiences.
"We do know that this new variant of the virus tends to spread much faster than the earlier variant".
Health workers attend to patients in tents at the parking lot of the Steve Biko Academic Hospital, amid a nationwide coronavirus disease lockdown, in Pretoria, South Africa January 11, 2021.
"This (congestion) has exposed many people to infection as they wait to be processed; and it has been hard to ensure that the health requirements for entry into South Africa are met".
It is compulsory for every person to wear a mask in a public space.
"The sale of alcohol from retail outlets and insight consumption of alcohol is still not permitted".
Land ports of entry will be closed until February, 15 for general entry and departure.
The full list of exemptions will be contained in the regulations.
Now that school holidays are coming to an end, will beaches be reopened?
"As the country returns to work after the festive break, it is essential that all places of work ensure that they continue to have safety protocols in place and that these are rigorously adhered to".
"The pandemic in our country is now at its most devastating", president Cyril Ramaphosa said yesterday.
Phase 1 of the vaccination strategy will prioritise around 1.2-million frontline health workers. "We will also prioritise people in institutions like old age homes, shelters and prisons, people over 60 years of age and adults with co-morbidities".
