National lockdown kicked off on Thursday night, 26 March 2020 at 23h59
• On 5 March 2020, Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize confirmed the spread of the
virus to South Africa, with the first known patient being a male citizen who tested
positive upon his return from Italy.
• The first death to have occurred from the disease was reported on 27 March
2020.
• On 15 March 2020, the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, declared a
national state of disaster, and announced measures such as immediate travel
restrictions and the closure of schools from 18 March.
• On 17 March, the National Coronavirus Command Council was established, "to
lead the nation's plan to contain the spread and mitigate the negative impact of
the coronavirus".
• On 23 March, a national lockdown was announced, starting on 27 March 2020