South Africa To Erect 40km Border Fence To Keep Coronavirus Out

South African authorities on Thursday said they would erect a fence along the border with Zimbabwe to prevent illegal immigrants from entering and spreading the coronavirus.

Public Works Minister Patricia de Lille said in a statement that measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa to close 35 out of 53 land entry points will not be effective if the fences at the border are not secure. Said de Lille:

… ensure that no undocumented or infected persons cross into the country.

All 40 kilometres (25 miles) of the fence will be finished within one month. Local labour will be sourced by the contractor.

South Africa’s Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize on Thursday warned that “60 to 70 per cent” of the population could be infected in the coming months.

South Africa had recorded 150 coronavirus cases by Thursday, with the number expected to go beyond 200 by Friday.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe says it has no positive coronavirus cases though a British and a German citizen who visited the country recently tested positive soon after leaving.

More: ZimLive