For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Sane Dhlamini.

Making headlines: Ramaphosa says economy will be severely impacted by coronavirus, Finance minister says further funding will be needed for coronavirus and, Liberia reports first coronavirus case

Ramaphosa says economy will be severely impacted by coronavirus

With South Africa's economy already feeling the pinch of the Covid-19 pandemic, President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced that government is on the verge of finalising a comprehensive package of interventions to mitigate the expected impact.

The president announced this in an address to the nation on Sunday after he called an urgent special Cabinet meeting.

He also announced bold measures in response to the coronavirus and declared a national state of disaster. These measures were expected to have a severe impact on the country's already strained economy, which is currently in recession.

The measures include a travel ban for foreign nationals from severely-affected countries - Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, United States, United Kingdom and China - from Wednesday.

Finance minister says further funding will be needed for coronavirus

South African Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said on Monday that despite having funds available through the National Disaster fund it may need to set aside further funding to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

Mboweni said as the situation develops they will have to reduce programmes throughout the government system by reducing the allocated amounts.

The number of confirmed cases in South Africa has risen to 61.

Liberia reports first coronavirus case

Liberia has recorded its first coronavirus case, a ministry official said on Monday.

President George Weah is expected to make an address later in the day.

Concerns are growing about the ability of some African nations to meet the logistical and financial challenges posed by the fast-spreading coronavirus.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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