Covid-19: S.Africa president imposes lockdown, to deploy military

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. He said the military will be deployed to effect the nationwide lockdown. PHOTO | FILE | AFP

What you need to know:

  • The move comes on the day the country announced that its confirmed cases had shot up to 402.

South Africa has imposed a 21-day lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday evening.

The move comes on the day the country announced that its confirmed cases had shot up to 402 from 274 cases the day before.

The lockdown, effective March 26 at midnight, will be in place for 21 days.

Mr Ramaphosa said the military will be deployed to effect the nationwide lockdown.

At 402, the country now has the most virus cases in Africa, surpassing Egypt.

The president was speaking to the nation about the growing threat of the disease that is multiplying in the country rapidly.

According the Ministry of Health, most of the cases are in the Northern Cape province.