(Ecofin Agency) - South Africa continues to tighten anti-Covid-19 restriction measures as the number of cases surged recently. On January 11, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the closure of 20 land border crossings until February 15.

This decision, the Head of State said, aims at reducing new arrivals in the country, mainly arrivals of people who don’t follow the required anti-Covid-19 measures. In recent weeks, South Africa has had to deal with an influx of people mainly from Zimbabwe, which is also facing an increase in cases and has had to impose a new lockdown.

President Ramaphosa said one of the challenges the country has faced after the festive season was the huge congestion at land border crossings. “It has been difficult to ensure that the health requirements for entry into South Africa are met, with many people arriving without proof of COVID-19 tests,” he said.

A few weeks ago, the government had decided to ban the sale of alcohol and tighten controls on the wearing of masks. With more than 1.2 million confirmed cases and 32,824 deaths, the rainbow nation is the most affected country in Africa, and the authorities want to prevent the second wave of the pandemic from being more devastating than the first.

According to authorities, the border closure measure will not affect the transport of fuel, goods, and cargo, people seeking emergency medical care for a life-threatening illness, returning South African nationals, permanent residents, or people with other valid visas.

Moutiou Adjibi Nourou