South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has gone into quarantine after a guest at a charity dinner he attended tested positive for COVID-19, his office said on Wednesday.
“The dinner had 35 guests and stuck to strict physical distancing protocols.
“The President is showing no symptoms at this time and will, in line with COVID-19 health advice, be tested should symptoms manifest,” his office added.
South Africa eased its lockdown in September following reduction in new infections which also allowed the country to open its borders to international travelers after a six-month ban.
But last week Health Minister Zweli Mkhize indicated that there was a risk of a second wave of infections that may lead to a review of lockdown restrictions, after they rose sharply in the tourist city of Cape Town.
Africa’s most advanced economy has been the continent’s worst hit, with more than 700,000 coronavirus infections and nearly 20,000 deaths, but new cases peaked in late July before falling sharply.
