South Africa's President Announces $26 Billion Coronavirus Rescue Package
South
African President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled a $26.3 billion
"extraordinary budget” to help the country recover from the economic
impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
President
Ramaphosa said Tuesday in a nationally televised address the budget
will address the "hunger and social distress” the pandemic has caused
among South Africa’s poorest citizens. He said some 250,000 food parcels
will be distributed across the country in the coming days, and the
country will increase financial grants for child support and for
unemployed citizens.
Ramaphosa
said the new aid package is equal to 10% of the gross domestic product
of South Africa, the continent’s most industrialized nation.
The
president imposed a strict lockdown on March 26 during the early stages
of the outbreak in the country, banning anyone but essential workers
from leaving home for the next 21 days. Ramaphosa said the government
will follow a "risk-adjusted approach” to reopening the economy, and
that he will unveil a phased-in plan on easing the lockdown on
Thursday.
South Africa has 3,465 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections, including 58 fatalities.
VOA
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