Government to assist informal businesses during lockdown: Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that additional measures are being developed to provide relief to self-employed individuals and informal businesses during the nationwide lockdown.

On Monday he addressed the nation for the first time since the implementation of the lockdown which came into effect on March 26. Ramaphosa spoke about the loss of income of small business owners and informal traders and how they will be assisted during this time.

” We have experienced a number of challenges that have imposed enormous burdens on our people. That is why we are taking various actions to support businesses in distress , assist workers whose jobs are threatened and provide funding to small businesses,” said Ramaphosa.

The President revealed that the country is entering a new phase in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, where screening and testing will be escalated.

“In the coming days, government will be rolling out a screening, testing,tracing and medical management programme on a huge scale,” stated Ramaphosa

He added that around 10,000 fieldworkers will be visiting homes in villages, towns and cities to screen residents for Covid-19 symptoms. He said people with symptoms will be referred to local clinics or mobile clinics for testing. The deadly virus has claimed the lives of three in the country with 1326 infected.