President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for national lockdown for 21 days in South Africa

Date: 23 Mar 2020
Updated: 27 Apr 2020

On 23 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster in terms of section 27 of the Disaster Management Act. This was an urgent response as the World Health Organization declared the Corona outbreak as the global pandemic. There were more than 162 000 people who have tested positive across the globe, 61 confirmed cases in South Africa. Given the speed and the spread of this virus, South African government decided to take drastic measures to protect and contain the impact of the virus to the health system, society and most importantly the people within the borders.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Dispatch live,(2020), President Ramaphosa answer to Covid -19, Available at https://www.dispatchlive.co.za/news/2020-03-15-full-speach-president-ramaphosa-on-covid-19/ [Accessed on 24 April 2020]. SABC News,(2020), Ramamphosa announces nationwide lockdown, Available at https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/president-ramaphosa-announces-nationwide-lockdown [Accessed on 24 April 2020].

Last updated · 27 Apr 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2020, April 27). President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for national lockdown for 21 days in South Africa. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0150187

South African History Online (2020) 'President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for national lockdown for 21 days in South Africa', South African History Online, 27 April. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0150187 (Accessed: 21 August 2026).

South African History Online, President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for national lockdown for 21 days in South Africa [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0150187, (accessed 21 August 2026).

"President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for national lockdown for 21 days in South Africa." South African History Online, 27 Apr. 2020, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0150187. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "President Cyril Ramaphosa calls for national lockdown for 21 days in South Africa." South African History Online. April 27, 2020. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0150187.