Democratic Alliance (DA) leader John Steenhuisen on Friday reinforced the need to take seriously the lockdown measures announced by government, amid South Africa’s first two coronavirus (Covid-19) deaths.

The Department of Health announced that 28-year-old and 48-year-old females, had died from the virus in the Western Cape, with the cases now reaching over 1 000. Health Minister Zweli Mkhize stated that more details would be given at a later stage.

Steenhuisen extended the party’s condolence to the respective families, saying that this was a reminder that Covid-19 is a deadly virus which will continue to spread through communities.

He called on South Africans to take the lockdown measures seriously.

“Please stay in your home and respect the rules put in place. Don’t travel, unless it’s absolutely essential. Don’t meet with friends or colleagues. Don’t congregate in supermarkets. Maintain a safe distance from others. Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly, and don’t touch your face. That is the only way we will break the chain of infection,” he appealed.

Steenhuisen warned that, to date, there was no cure or vaccine to the deadly virus, citing that time was the only weapon the country had in the fight against the virus.

He called on citizens to play their part over the coming weeks, adding that if the country could slow down the infections by breaking social contacts that spread the virus, the government could buy healthcare workers precious time needed to treat those who required critical care.

“Yes, the effects of this lockdown on our economy and on our people’s livelihoods will be brutal. But the alternative will be far, far worse. It is imperative that we all make the sacrifice now that could save the lives of thousands. And following this, we must all roll up our sleeves to rebuild what we lost,” Steenhuisen said.

He called for unity among citizens and said these actions could save the lives of elderly people who may not have the protection of a robust immune system.