South Africa Tightens Covid-19 Lockdown to Curb Third Wave

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the country into stricter lockdown regulations, as government gears to tackle the third wave of Covid-19 cases. The president on June 15, 2021, announced that the new measures will see the whole of South Africa move into alert level 3.

In a bid to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the president has since instituted alcohol sales restrictions, tightened the curfew and slashed the number of people who are allowed at gatherings. In a televised address to the nation, the president said with the third wave of infections upon the nation, every precaution must be taken to contain the spread of infections.

"We have to contain this new wave of infections," he warned. The latest data show that the country finds itself in heightened crisis mode, with hospital admissions soaring and private hospitals almost full. As of June 16, 2021, South Africa has recorded 1,761,066 confirmed cases of Covid-19, of which 58,087 proved fatal and 1,616,405 resulted in recovery. Total number of vaccinations administered as of June 12, 2021, total 1,767,415 with at least one dose administered while 479,768 people have been fully vaccinated.