South Africa braces for coronavirus lockdown

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa braced for a nationwide lockdown, joining other African countries imposing strict curfews and shutdowns in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus across the continent.

Some 57 million people will be restricted to their homes during South Africa’s three-week total lockdown which begins at midnight. Kenya, Rwanda and Mali are some of the African countries that have imposed restrictions to curb the spread of the coronavirus with the continent recording 2,748 cases and 73 deaths so far.

Although Africa´s toll is far lower than in Europe, the United States and the Middle East, health experts say the world´s poorest continent is especially vulnerable and the figures likely fall far short of the reality.

During South Africa´s 21-day shutdown there will be no jogging, dog-walking or sale of alcohol across the country, which has so far recorded 709 cases, the highest number of detected infections in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigeria´s government warned Thursday that Africa´s most populous nation could soon see an “exponential” increase in coronavirus infections unless contacts of confirmed cases are tracked down quicker.