Some of South Africa's celebrities added their voices following the news of President Cyril Ramaphosa's declaration of a national state of disaster due to the coronavirus.
Ramaphosa announced a national state of disaster on Sunday evening, putting in place several restrictions.
Measures included closing of schools and a travel ban from Wednesday to and from Covid-19 hotspots such as Italy and China.
The president also announced that all gatherings of more than 100 people will be prohibited.
Actress Terry Pheto congratulated Ramaphosa on taking action and used the hashtag #locksouthafricadown.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/LOCKSOUTHAFRICADOWN?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LOCKSOUTHAFRICADOWN
— Terry Pheto (@TerryPheto)
Rami Chuene welcomed the measures saying that the president had finally done what citizens were asking for and offered a prayer for all freelancers who may be affected by the restrictions.
Her sentiments were shared by poet Lebo Mashile.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoronaVirusSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoronaVirusSA
— Rami Chuene🌈🏳️🌈 (@ramichuene)
A prayer for the freelancers, session workers, the ones with no UIF benefits. Gigs being cancelled/postponed. May your employers meet you at your point of need.
— Rami Chuene🌈🏳️🌈 (@ramichuene) March 15, 2020
Actress Masasa Mbangeni said the upcoming South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) may be cancelled and joked that the winners should be announced via WhatsApp. She encouraged her followers to stock up on supplies.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAFTAS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAFTAS, WhatsApp us the winners friends .
— Bhut’ Masasa (@MsMasasa)
Stock up on Biral! It’s vital in these dark times
— Bhut’ Masasa (@MsMasasa) March 15, 2020
Rapper Nadia Nakai said that the restrictions will have a negative impact on musicians.
Artists will be going thru the most! No gatherings over 100 people!! 🙆🏾♀️
— Practice ft Vic Mensa (@Nadia_nakai) March 15, 2020