On Monday night, Ramaphosa announced a lockdown, starting at midnight on Thursday, until April 16.
“As head of state and chair of the National Command Council (NCC), the president has a rigorous public-engagements schedule and has, during the course of the past few weeks, held numerous meetings with a wide cross-section of people from all walks of life,” Diko said.
She said the health department recommended that people get tested “if you experience symptoms, if you live in or recently travelled to an area with ongoing spread of Covid-19 or if you have been in close contact with someone known to have Covid-19”.
Ramaphosa is expected to speak to African leaders in a virtual meeting to discuss the continent’s response to the pandemic.
He is also later expected to participate in a virtual meeting of G20 leaders.