CAPE TOWN - Government is taking various steps to curb the spread of Coronavirus in South Africa, Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize said on Tuesday.
Mkhize was speaking to the media during an inter-ministerial briefing as part of a response to President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement of a national lockdown on Monday night.
"Our priority remains to slow the rate of infection over a period of time. We cannot allow our healthcare system to be overwhelmed," said Mkhize.
He said government was responding in the following ways ;
- Persons testing positive for Covid-19 must be treated and remain in isolation.
- Those persons who have been in contact with infected persons must be traced, tested and/or quarantined.
- People from high risk areas will be tested an/or quarantined.
- Air and Sea travel will be reduced.
- Reduction of large gatherings.
- Internal transmission monitoring and testing.
- National 21 day lockdown
Mkhize said that all South Africans needed to work together to curb the spread of the virus. " We find ourselves on a battlefield and we are the field soldiers -everyone of us has a part to play," said Mkhize.
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