President Ramaphosa discusses measures to strengthen SA response to COVID-19

President Cyril Ramaphosa has chaired a virtual meeting of the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC), to discuss measures to strengthen and intensify the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The PCC agreed on the need for a risk-adjusted approach to the resumption of economic activity at the completion of the lockdown period.

In this video Kameel Keshav discusses business’ role in the COVID-19 fight:

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That would entail the gradual easing of regulations in various sectors, guided by available evidence which supports the ongoing containment of the virus.

The PCC has agreed to ramp up water provision across the country, and also discussed the available capacity at quarantine sites and hospitals.

Further inputs were made for cabinet’s consideration when it meets on Monday to discuss the need for an economic reconstruction plan.

Earlier government, business, labour and the civil society organisations agreed to put the health and well-being of all South Africans ahead of profits.

This emerged from a virtual meeting between President Ramaphosa and representatives of the National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) on Friday.

President @CyrilRamaphosa has today met with social partners represented in the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) to discuss deepening cooperation as part of the national effort to combat the #coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/icXFLhkLer

— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) April 17, 2020

The meeting was called to discuss deepening co-operation as part of the national effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

South Africa has been on lockdown for 22 days now and the local economy is already staggering under the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Ramaphosa also urged business and labour to cooperate to ensure social protection for workers during the lockdown.

#COVID19 | President @CyrilRamaphosa chaired a virtual meeting of the National Economic Development and Labour Council this morning from his private residence in Johannesburg. #NEDLAC #CoronaVirusSA pic.twitter.com/eYFuOueTQC

— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) April 17, 2020