Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is a infectious disease caused by a new virus.The first case of coronavirus infection was found in early December 2019.The first known out break of coronavirus was detected in Wuhan,China in mid-December 2019.The virus subsequently spread to other provinces of Mainland China and other countries including Thailand,Japan,Taiwan,South Korea,France, Australia and the United States.
Earlier this year when the first reports of the coronavirus started to come out of China,global health officials said they were worried about what would happen if the virus started spreading in Africa,where many health system are struggling.
Well,now the coronavirus is spreading in Africa.
So far the number of reported cases are high and they are increasing, many countries in Africa are responding aggressive to the pandemic. Regional experts says a widespread pandemic in Africa would cripple the continent's frigile health-care system and be devastating economically.
The coronavirus pandemic spread to South Africa, with the first confirmed case announced on 5 March 2020 by Minister of health Zweli Mkhize.With the dramatically increasing number of Covid-19 pandemic in South Africa, President Cryl Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster with a partial travel ban, travel advisories, discouraging public transport the closing of schools and prohibited gathering of more than 100 people.The number of people being infected with Covid-19 continue to rise.Mr Ramaphosa held a meeting with the National Command Council at the Union Building at Pretoria on Sunday the 22 of March.Discussions at the meeting relate to progress made in the implementation of regulation to curb the disease.
On the 23 of March 2020, Ramaphosa issued a national stay-at-home order lasting 21 days from the 26 March to 16 April. As of 26 March 2020,there were a total of 927 confirmed cases up from 709 and no deaths.
Police Minister Bheki Cele gazetted strict new rule as part of the disaster Management Act, which read that all liquor (bars, shebeens and licenced restaurant) must be closed between 18:00 and 09:00 the next morning on weekdays and Saturdays; and from 13:00 and public holidays.
Public transport operators will have adhere to strict regulations during the 21 days,nationwide lockdown including limiting their passengers, sanitising their vehicles and wearing marks during trips. Metros and districts is prohibited,buses will only operate when transporting workers who perform essential services between 5am and 9am, and again from 4pm to 8pm. How ever, lockdown restricted-that travel is only allowed when purchasing food,medicine, seeking medical care or those performing essential services-apply to anyone on the road said the Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula.
