The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) warned that if the coronavirus, or Covid-19, was not tackled and stopped, the country’s economy would continue to decline leading to further job losses and heightened levels of poverty.

Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize on Wednesday confirmed that South Africa had 709 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus.

The Commission said it noted that the rapid increase in the rate of infections was a cause for concern for citizens, adding that bold steps were needed.

It warned that any economic decline would have a major impact on the country’s ability to advance human rights, and economic and social rights in particular.

It explained that the country was already struggling with compromised delivery of basic services such as water, sanitation, housing and others.

The SAHRC said it welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of the 21-day lockdown, commencing at midnight on Thursday, March 26 until April 16, viewing it as a necessary means to uphold the right to health and ultimately, for saving lives.

The Commission urged all south Africans to support Ramaphosa’s lockdown call and comply with the conditions of the lockdown including co-operating with the lawful instructions of authorities tasked with the implementation of the lockdown.

“As difficult as the lockdown may be, the Commission views it as a necessary means to uphold the right to health and ultimately, for saving lives. The Commission, hopes that the announced measures, if embraced and implemented by all of us, will make a significant impact in addressing the epidemic,” explained the SAHRC.

However, it was also concerned that all measures introduced in response to the epidemic should not unduly undermine the human rights of South Africans, citing that the Constitutional mandate of the Commission required that it promote and protect all rights in the Bill of Rights and more importantly in the context of the strict measures announced by the President, the Commission was obliged by the Constitution to monitor and assess the observance of people’s rights during the implementation or enforcement of the lockdown so that rights remained protected.