Thread by @MaS1banda

#CoronaVirusSA National Address:
President @CyrilRamaphosa calls the coronavirus a 'grave public emergency' & commends South Africans for their efforts so far to help curb the spread of the virus.

A reminder to thank the people on the frontlines: health-workers, teachers, border officials, police etc. as they take on heaviest burden of the immense challenge we face.

Everyone must continue to come together - 'wash hands, avoid contact, stay at home, avoid public places…'

The global crisis has continued to deepen… from 160 000+ last Sunday to over 340 000 cases now.

SA's increase is 6-fold in that same time.

'Immediate, swift & extraordinary action is required'

Immediate.
Swift.
Extraordinary.

'Do everything within our means to reduce the overall number of infections & delay the spread… flatten the curve'

Everyone must adhere STRICTLY to added measures…

We will now 'urgently and dramatically escalate response'

A nationwide lockdown for 21 days with effect from midnight Thursday the 26th of March.

This measure will have a considerable impact on people, but the human cost of delay would be far greater.

Measures under the Disaster Management Act.

26 March - 16 April:
• All South African must stay at home (except for health workers, emergency personnel, security services, essential banking services, etc. full list will be published in due course)

• People must not leave their home unless under strict exemptions, such as seeking medical care or to collect social grants.
• Measures will be put in place for people who cannot self isolate - including the homeless.

• All businesses must remain shut during the lockdown, except for pharmacies, laboratoriss, banks, essential services (supermarkets, healthcare providers, etc.) will remain open.

• SANDF deployed to support SAPS in the disaster management and the effective implementation of the national lockdown
• Screening and testing will (obviously) still continue. Focus on high density areas will be implemented to ensure direct access, over going to hospitals.

• Those from high-risk countries will not be allowed entry into SA.
• Everyone else travelling into SA will automatically be put in quarantine for 14 days.

OWN SIDE-NOTE: A state of emergency is still not in effect and won't be in effect (yet).
For 21 days from Thursday 26 March, the measures are escalated measures for disaster management.
Limitations on rights in effect are reasonable.
PLEASE ADHERE.

• R150 million seed capital from government will be put towards a solidarity fund to deal with the coronavirus.
• The solidarity fund will be carefully managed & people can donate directly.
• Rupert & Oppenheimer families have each put forward R1 billion to support industry.

• The supply of goods remains continuous and supply chains remain intact. DO NOT PANIC BUY.
• Stores that are unscrupulously raising prices must stop doing so. Additional measures to address this will happen.
• REMEMBER: Supermarkets will be open.

• Old and disabled people on social grants can collect on 30 & 31 March.
• All other grant recipients must collect after 1 April.

• Temporary employee relief funds to be used to pay employees during this time
• The unemployment insurance fund system may be used to extend payments to those whose companies can't pay them or have lost employment.

• Tax subsidy up to R500 for the next 4 months for employees earning up to R6500. (THIS IS MAJOR. Most people are under this threshold)
• PAYE liabilities can be delayed for certain categories of companies that are currently tax compliant - please wait for full details…

• Across sectors, government has come to the table to assist… Department of Tourism, for example, had extended a line of funding to businesses in the sector to help keep them afloat during this time.

• Failure to adhere to the strict measure could lead to prosecution. The NPA is briefed and ready to act…

YOU COULD END UP IN JAIL IF YOU DON'T COMPLY, BAZALWANE. Please familiarise yourselves with the regulations. Abeg. Abeg.

'Unity as a nation will be put to the test.
Be courageous.
Be patient.
Show solidarity & compassion.
Let's not despair.
We are a nation of one & we are surely going to prevail.'

The president ends with an ode to the national anthem in all 11 official languages.

Fin.

The full speech: