In response to the South African government’s travel ban amidst the coronavirus outbreak, South African Airways (SAA) has suspended all international operations until May 31 2020 as SAA acting chief executive officer Zuks Ramasia indicated that the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic and attendant travel restrictions resulted in substantial decline in demand for air travel.

The CEO said that it is the airline’s responsibility, to curb further transmission of the virus. “In addition, the increasing risks to our crew of contracting the virus, including the possibility of being trapped in foreign destinations as a consequence of increasing travel bans, cannot be ignored.” said Ramasia in part of the statement.

On the other hand, South Africa will see a 21 day lockdown ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, in a televised address to the nation. “From midnight on Thursday, March 26 until midnight on Thursday, April 16, all South Africans will have to stay at home,” said Ramaphosa.