Author: aarti

The United Nations applauds South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has focussed on saving and protecting lives, livelihoods and businesses with particular emphasis on those persons who are most vulnerable.

Government has announced a massive social relief and economic support package of R500 billion which amounts to around 10% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to mitigate against the blow of COVID-19 in the country. The newly announced support package forms part of the second tier of the country’s three phase economic response to stabilise the economy, address the extreme decline in supply and demand and protect jobs.

Marcus Hollington is research director at Focal Africa Research. Monique Bennett is an MA (International Relations) Data Scientist.

There are even drive-through testing centres. Soon the country will be able to test 30,000 people every day. To date, only 5 deaths from the virus have been confirmed. About 1,400 have tested positive for Covid-19.

The measures we are announcing today are in line with this injunction, while ensuring that the objective of the lockdown is achieved.

It is a week since we declared the coronavirus pandemic a national disaster and announced a package of extraordinary measures to combat this grave public health emergency.