Type of Intervention: Advisory, Executive Order
Sectors Involved: Health, Tourism, Transportation
Intervention Categories: International travel measures; Legal and policy; Declaring state of emergency
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: Cabinet (decision-making body), President
Overview: Following a special meeting with Cabinet, President Ramaphosa declares a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act to enable an integrated and co-ordinated disaster management response focused on preventing and reducing the outbreak of the virus. A travel ban for for high-risk countries is introduced for incoming travellers from Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and China as of 18 March 2020.
South African citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or through the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and other identified high-risk countries such as China, Iran and South Korea.
Full details here: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-03-15-covid-19-ramaphosa-declares-national-state-of-disaster-imposes-travel-bans/#gsc.tab=0
Type of Justification: Advice of INTERNAL government advisory committee or group, Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee, Perception of an increased threat
Source of Evidence or Justification: World Health Organisation, National – government
Evidence/Justification: Declaration of coronavirus outbreak as a global pandemic by the WHO, with reference to evolving situation globally, including increasing case numbers and fatalities.