Premier Winde welcomes national lock down, calls on everyone to stay at home

23 March 2020

We welcome the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa this evening of a 21 day lock down period in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus and COVID-19 infections.

What we have seen globally over the past few months, has been unprecedented in recent history. 

These announcements are likely to cause a lot of anxiety but I want to reassure residents that we will be working closely with the National Government to ensure that the announcements made tonight are effectively implemented to ensure that our residents remain safe and healthy.

I understand that there are a lot of questions at this time, and I will be meeting with my team tomorrow to ensure that we are able to provide clarity to residents on these, as soon as possible.

There is no need to panic. These measures have been taken with the best interests of all South Africans in mind.

As President Ramaphosa indicated, shops will remain open so that people can access food and medications. There is absolutely no need to resort to panic buying and hoarding. We have met with big retailers who have assured us of sufficient supplies.

Over the next few days, we will be evaluating where food security risks lie, and addressing these.

I understand that this shutdown is extremely difficult. In a country where personal freedom was hard won, and where people have had to work hard to build careers and livelihoods, a shut down comes with a high price. But the lives of the people of this country and this province are worth far more than this and we must all work together now, to ensure that this lock down achieves the goals it has set out to achieve: to reduce the impact of the virus and flatten the curve of infection. In this way, we will ensure that our people, especially the vulnerable, will be able to receive the healthcare they need if they do fall ill.

We will continue to communicate regularly, and we will be updating our website www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus with urgency, with information that will help set your minds at ease.

The most important thing for us now is to stay at home.

If you have flu-like symptoms, call our hotline numbers on 0800 029 999 or 021 928 4102.

A self assessment tool is available here if you suspect you may have been infected: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/risk-assessment-form

Issued by Bianca Capazorio, Spokesperson for Premier Alan Winde, 23 March 2020