The ruling African National Congress (ANC) National Working Committee (NWC) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recently announced measures for dealing with the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak and urged the cooperation of all South Africans to prevent the spread of the virus.

Ramaphosa declared the virus a national disaster on Sunday and has imposed measures such as travel bans from high risk countries, restrictions on gatherings of more than 100 people, school closures, port shutdowns and visa cancellations.

The ANC has urged all institutions and the public and private sectors to adhere to the restrictions on public gatherings.

ANC secretary general Ace Magashule said the party has suspended its own National Executive Committee meetings and all its branch general gatherings.

“Although no large gatherings will be held, ANC branch executive committees are still required to meet and play an active role in helping the local communities to respond to the pandemic. The social mobilisation should include educating communities about Covid-19, how to prevent it through regular washing of hands, social distance, not shaking hands, not spreading droplets when sneezing or coughing by using your arm, and keeping cultural meetings such as funerals and weddings very small, during this period of national disaster,” he said.

The ANC called on all its committees and members to work with health authorities, community development workers, parliamentary officers and local government to accelerate its local outreach and provide relevant information to communities about Covid-19, including local testing sites.

While there is no treatment at present, Magashule said South African scientists were working with the World Health Organisation on possible vaccine trials.

“The declaration of a national disaster is timely, and the NWC supports the use [of all] measures necessary to deal with this potential public health disaster that we face. The NWC notes that if the situation further deteriorates, more stringent measures may be required, and urges Cabinet to swiftly take the necessary steps allowed by our Constitution, for the sake of our nation,” said Magashule.

The party said through its new online membership system and ANC Cloud, it will be able to have direct communication with its members, should the need arise.