Johannesburg - Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, the chairperson of the health committee in Parliament, has applauded the government’s response to the rapidly spreading Covid-19 virus.
On Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa stepped up government’s efforts to combat the rapidly spreading virus when he announced the 21-day lockdown which comes into effect from Thursday midnight.
This means South Africans have to stay home to contain the virus, but essential service personnel including the police, the army, doctors and nurses are exempt.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in the country jumped to 554 on Tuesday, with Health Minister Zweli Mkhize warning the number would continue to grow.
Dhlomo described the lockdown as “the right move” and said it would curb the spread of the virus.
“I hope the country will realise that, among other things, this will create stability in terms of health and in the economy of the country,” Dr Dhlomo said.
“The main message is a call for all of us to heighten our personal hygiene: wash your hands often; cough and sneeze into a tissue or an elbow; avoid at all costs close contact with others, as this is how the droplet infection will spread from one person to the other,” said Dhlomo.