South Africa now has more than 270 000 confirmed cases of coronavirus (Covid-19), President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Sunday evening. 

“The storm is upon us. More than a quarter of a million South Africans have been infected with coronavirus and we know that many more infections have gone undetected. As of this evening, there are 276 242 confirmed cases in the country. We are now recording over 12 000 new cases every day,” he said in a televised address from Pretoria. 

“That is the equivalent of 500 new infections every hour. Since the start of the outbreak in March, at least 4 079 people have died from Covid-19. What should concern us most is that a quarter of those who died passed away in the last week. We mourn the loss of each and every one of them, including some who have been in leadership positions in our country, such as queen Noloyiso Sandile of the AmaRharhabe and North West MEC Gordon Kegakilwe.” 

Ramaphosa extended best wishes for a speedy recovery to South Africa’s three provincial premiers who have tested positive for coronavirus – premier Alan Winde of the Western Cape, premier David Makhura of Gauteng, and premier Job Mokgoro of the North West. 

“While the surge in infections has been expected, the force and the speed with which it has progressed has quite understandably caused great concern. Many of us are fearful of the danger this presents for ourselves and for our families. Like the massive cold fronts that sweep into our country from the South Atlantic at this time of year there are few parts of the country that will remain untouched by the coronavirus,” said Ramaphosa. 

“The coronavirus storm is far fiercer and more destructive than any we have known before. It is stretching our resources and our resolve to their limits. The surge of infections that our experts and scientists predicted over three months ago has now arrived. It started in the Western Cape and is now under way in the Eastern Cape and Gauteng. Gauteng is fast approaching 100 000 confirmed cases. The Eastern Cape has passed 50 000 cases, and although the rate of transmission has slowed in the Western Cape, it will soon have 80 000 cases.” 

As South Africa heads towards a peak of Covid-19 infections, Ramaphosa announced that the sale of alcohol across the country would be suspended. 

“As we head towards the peak of infections, it is vital that we do not burden our clinics and hospitals with alcohol-related injuries that could have been avoided. This is a fight to save every life, and we need to save every bed. We have therefore decided that in order to conserve hospital capacity, the sale, dispensing and distribution of alcohol will be suspended with immediate effect. 

“There is now clear evidence that the resumption of alcohol sales has resulted in substantial pressure being put on hospitals, including trauma and ICU units, due to motor vehicle accidents, violence and related trauma. Most of these and other trauma injuries occur at night.” 

Ramaphosa said as an additional measure, a curfew would be re-introduced across South Africa. 

“As an additional measure to reduce the pressure on hospitals, a curfew will be put in place between the hours of 9pm and 4am. Apart from people who need to travel to and from work or who need to seek urgent medical or other assistance during this time, everyone will be required to remain at home. The curfew will take effect from tomorrow, Monday, 13 July 2020 at 9pm,” said Ramaphosa. 

“We are taking these measures fully aware that they impose unwelcome restrictions on people’s lives. They are, however, necessary to see us through the peak of the disease. At the same time, we have decided to ease restrictions on activities that pose a lower risk of infection and are important for economic or educational purposes.”