Ramaphosa exposed to COVID-19, goes into self-quarantine

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER

CYRIL Ramaphosa, the South African President and chairperson of the African Union, has gone into self-isolation after being exposed to a COVID-19 positive dinner guest.

The South African presidency announced that Ramaphosa attended a Adopt-a-School dinner on Saturday, October 24, and has since been informed that one of the guests is infected with COVID-19.

Ramaphosa, who has not shown any symptoms, will be in quarantine and continue with his duties.

This is what the South African presidency said: “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 event for 35 guests was held at a Johannesburg hotel where Foundation guests were the only people hosted by the establishment.

“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.

“The Adopt-a-School Foundation advised dinner guests yesterday, Tuesday, 27 October, that a guest had shown symptoms on Sunday and had been tested on Monday before receiving a positive result yesterday.

“The Foundation became aware of this development and communicated this to guests yesterday, 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. The President will perform his duties remotely and will observe the guidelines that apply to self-quarantine.”