No massive gatherings were possible in the 2020 Human Rights Day celebrations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but President Cyril Ramaphosa sees this as a challenge that calls for unity.
Muted Human Rights Day celebrations all around
The president declared a national state of disaster on Sunday, which was brought about by the growing number of coronavirus cases in the country.
In introducing extraordinary measures to curb the rapid spread of the virus, Ramaphosa announced that public gatherings of 100 or more people would be outlawed.
This ruled out the usual rallies which have become the norm on 21 March in the country.
“We observe Human Rights Day at an extraordinary time for our country and the world, as we battle to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, Covid-19,” he said in his address.
“The threat posed by this formidable adversary has compelled us to take unprecedented steps to protect the most fundamental human right of all, and that is the right to life.”
Cyril Ramaphosa
The possible positive legacy of COVID-19
Among the regulations gazetted by government this week, one of the more notable changes is the travel ban against countries deemed as “high-risk” areas with regards to COVID-19.
Friday saw flights from the flagged countries turned back from OR Tambo International Airport, with only South Africans allowed to disembark.
“This disruption is one of many necessary interventions we need to embrace as our nation sets out to meet a challenge that calls for unity, social solidarity and personal discipline among all South Africans,” he added.
“The right to life, to health and to economic activity is under threat from a virus that has necessitated that we dramatically alter our behaviour as a nation. It further demands us to look at ourselves and the world around us in ways we have not imagined.”
Cyril Ramaphosa
He added that the pandemic could leave a positive legacy, which is bringing South Africans together through the determination for survival.
South Africa has recorded 240 confirmed coronavirus cases, as of Saturday, 21 March.
Source: The South African Read More
