Last night President Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

There are now a confirmed 61 cases of the virus in South Africa.

Rather than waiting for things to get out of hand, our government has taken decisive steps to curb the spread of the virus, all of which were outlined in the president’s address to the country following a lengthy Cabinet meeting.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Travel

• A travel ban will be instated for foreign nationals from high-risk countries and will be implemented from March 18, 2020.
• South African citizens are asked to refrain from travel through high-risk countries.
• South Africans returning from high-risk countries will be tested and asked to self-isolate.
• South Africans and those visiting our country are advised to avoid domestic travel as far as possible especially on public transport (buses, taxis and trains) and aeroplanes.
• All foreign nationals who have arrived in the country since mid-February from high-risk areas must report for testing.
• Visas have been suspended and will be denied to anyone trying to visit South Africa from a high-risk country.

If you’re unsure which countries are high risk, or you still plan on travelling, check out this list of all the countries, the world over, enforcing travel bans.

Lifestyle and Education

• Gatherings of more than 100 people are now prohibited.
• Schools will be closed from March 18, 2020, until after the Easter Weekend.
• The mid-year school holidays will be shortened by a week to compensate for time lost.
• All visits to correctional facilities have been suspended for 30 days, effective immediately.
• Universities are engaging in talks with government to formulate a plan of action. As of this morning The University of Cape Town is closed.

If you are concerned about your child’s education, Valenture Institute, an internationally recognised online high school is taking emergency submissions in the wake of the coronavirus. 

Shopping

• All shopping centres must ensure that they are taking measures to intensify hygiene-control.
• This wasn’t mentioned in the speech – but please don’t panic-buy. Everyone is going to need loo paper, water and so on. Also, standing in a queue for hours essentially puts you in close proximity to other people. Think about it.

Here’s some advice on how to deal with panic-buying.

Work

• All businesses must ensure that they are doing everything they can to maintain good hygiene practices.
• It might be time to start working remotely if at all possible.

We compiled some tips on how to work from home without turning into a pyjama-clad shadow of your former self. 

Health

• The capacity of health centres is being increased nationwide.
• Government is strengthening its surveillance and testing systems.
• Government is identifying isolation and quarantine sites in each district and metro. Capacity is being increased at designated hospitals in all provinces.
• Government is partnering with the private sector to set up a national tracking, tracing and monitoring system of all people infected with the coronavirus and those they have been in contact with.

What can you do?

• Wash your hands frequently. Use this handy website to make things more fun, especially for kids.
• Cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a tissue or flexed elbow.
• Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
• Work together, help those around you with compromised immune systems (share the supplies you hoarded).

If you’re still unsure or would like to know more, here’s how to avoid coronavirus, how to tell if you have it and your chances of dying.

The Department of Health has also put together a resource on COVID-19, on WhatsApp. Just text ‘Hi’ to the number below to stay informed:

The Daily Maverick summarised the president’s speech in this useful infographic:

You can watch Ramaphosa’s full address, here:

[source:dailymaverick]