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President Cyril Ramaphosa.
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans to comply with preventive measures to avoid a second wave of Covid-19.
- He said that while there have been many successes, a resurgence will drastically reverse any progress made.
- By Sunday, South Africa had registered 737,278 cases of Covid-19 and 19,809 deaths.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is transitioning from relief to recovery, following the imposition of measures for eight months to combat the spread of Covid-19.
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In his weekly bulletin, the president said there is already progress in several areas, but he warned South Africans to remain vigilant and comply with measures to avoid a second wave.
“After a long and difficult winter, the start of a new season should fill us with optimism,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the government’s immediate priority was to contain the spread of the virus and provide emergency aid to citizens, communities, workers and businesses.
A series of measures were implemented, he said, including a national shutdown, as well as the provision of social subsidies and business aid measures, among others.
“We can be proud that during this serious crisis we gave practical expression to this right in many ways,” Ramaphosa said.
But the president also warned that South Africans should not undo their successes by being reckless.
Observe the guidelines
“It is even more critical right now, even more so as the holiday season approaches, that we are not the architects of our own ruin.
“The highest vigilance is required of all of us to keep the virus at bay. A resurgence on any scale will not only drastically reverse our health gains. It will choke off the green shoots of economic recovery that have emerged and carry us from spring to winter.
“To prevent a second wave of Covid-19 infections, we must adhere to public health guidelines that remain in effect. When we don’t wear a mask at a social gathering, when we attend crowded events, we’re not just putting ourselves on and Others At Risk. We are also putting our economic recovery in jeopardy, “Ramaphosa said.
Ramaphosa urged people to keep wearing masks, maintain social distancing, and wash their hands.
“Let us remember the sacrifices we all had to make to contain the spread of the virus in the early days. Even when most of the social and economic activity has resumed, we must still observe all health measures. This is absolutely necessary if we are going to rebuild our economy and leave this crisis behind. “
By Sunday, South Africa had registered 737,278 cases of Covid-19 and 19,809 deaths.
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