File
The Presidency announced on Wednesday that President Cyril Ramaphosa had gone into self-quarantine.
“On Saturday, 24 October, the President attended a fundraising dinner of the Adopt-a-School Foundation, which is a partner entity of the Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation,” the Presidency said in a statement.
“The event for 35 guests was held at a Johannesburg hotel where Foundation guests were the only people hosted by the establishment,” said spokesperson Tyrone Seale.
He said the event adhered stringently to COVID-19 protocols and directives on screening, social distancing and the wearing of masks.
“As was the case with all guests, the President himself removed his mask only when dining and addressing the guests.”
Seale said that the Adopt-a-School Foundation advised dinner guests on Tuesday that a guest had shown symptoms on Sunday and had been tested on Monday before receiving a positive result.
He said the Foundation communicated this to guests on Tuesday, hours after the President had performed the unveiling of a statue of liberation icon OR Tambo and the official opening of a new Radisson hotel and convention centre in Ekurhuleni in the morning.
“The President is screened regularly by the South African Military Health Service and subjects himself to screening at venues where he participates in engagements.”
“The President is showing no symptoms at this time and will, in line with COVID-19 health advice, be tested should symptoms manifest,” Seale said.
The President will perform his duties remotely and will observe the guidelines that apply to self-quarantine.
The news comes as the country recorded over 1000 new cases.
According to the latest figures from the Health Ministry, the country recorded 717 851 cases, 647 833 recoveries and 19 053 deaths.
Earlier this month, Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize and his wife tested positive for Covid19 but were said to be recovering well.
