President Cyril Ramaphosa will meet with leaders of political parties represented in Parliament tomorrow, Wednesday, 18 March 2020, to discuss the national response to the COVID-19 disaster.
This meeting is part of a series of consultations the President is undertaking with leaders across various sectors of society to ensure that the national effort to combat and contain COVID-19 is inclusive and enjoys the support of all stakeholder groups.
The President declared a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act on Sunday, 15 March 2020.
The President announced a broad range of measures that conform to World Health Organisation guidance; that follow precedents in force in many parts of the world and which take into account conditions in South Africa and the Southern African Development Community.
The closure of schools and institutions of higher learning, travel restrictions and a prohibition on gatherings of more than 100 people are among the measures already in effect.
On Tuesday, 17 March 2020, the President, supported by Deputy President David Mabuza, convened the first meeting of the National Command Council on COVID-19.
The Council was established to lead the nation’s plan to contain the spread and mitigate the negative impact of the coronavirus.
The Council received an update from the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NatJoints) on work being done in line with the directives outlined by the President to enhance border security and control, enforce public health containment measures and minimise local transmission. The NatJoints is the national coordination structure of the country’s security and law enforcement operations.
For tomorrow’s meeting, media are invited for a photo opportunity and later a media briefing in which party leaders will participate. Details are:
Date: 18 March 2020
Time: 08:00 (Media to arrive at 07:30)
Venue: Tuynhuys, Cape Town
Members of the media who intend to cover the photo opportunity and joint media briefing should send their details to Khutjo Sebata on 079 898 4621 by no later than 22h00 on Tuesday, 17 March 2020.
Media enquiries:
Khusela Diko
Spokesperson to the President
Cell: 072 854 5707
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