Ramaphosa makes another TV address about lockdown to South Africans. "We've used the time under lockdown to build up an extensive public health response" to the "anticipated surge" in infections, he says.

Over 22,000 cases confirmed now (just over 11,000 active) and 429 have died to date in South Africa, Ramaphosa says. Number of infected could have been much higher without measures. "We are in a much better position than many other countries" were at a similar stage.

About 20,000 hospital beds have been/are being readied for the expected surge in cases, Ramaphosa says. He also mentions challenges such as the global shortage of test materials. "This has contributed to lengthy turnaround times" for results, he says.

One third of South Africa's cumulative confirmed cases were recorded in the last week alone, Ramaphosa says, again bracing South Africans for acceleration. Modelling says it is "going to get much worse before it gets better" but much depends on everyone's behaviour, he says.

Ramaphosa: "We are extremely grateful" and "we appreciate the diverse and sometimes challenging views" of the government's expert scientific advisors. (After controversy here over expert dissent recently.)

Ramaphosa now on to South Africa's levelled lockdown strategy. Confirms that alert level for the whole country is to be moved to Level 3 - relatively wide reopening of the economy - from June.

But now for the localised lockdowns, or areas to be declared coronavirus hotspots. The following metros, Rampahosa says:
Tshwane
Joburg
Ekurhuleni
Ethekwini
Nelson Mandela Bay
Buffalo City
...and Cape Town
And other non-metro districts too.

"We are particularly concerned" about the Cape Town/Western Cape outbreak and attending to it is a "matter of urgency", Ramaphosa says.

Parts of the country could be returned to Levels 4 or 5 lockdowns depending on transmission risk and risks to health system capacity, Ramaphosa says. (This was in original planning for the levelled lockdowns.)

Ramaphosa: under Level 3, nightly curfew will be lifted and alcohol will be sold under strict conditions (and more time for exercise). Sale of tobacco still prohibited however. Big gatherings still prohibited except for workplaces/funerals.

Ramaphosa is now emphasising the protocols such as screening that are necessary for businesses to reopen among "appropriate restart" arrangements. This is absolutely critical (just see announcements around clustered spread at Mponeng mine today).

Domestic air travel in South Africa will be phased in on a limited basis (for business travel) at Level 3, Ramaphosa says.

Quick comment while Ramaphosa continues to speak: much is going to depend on the practicalities of being declared a "coronavirus hotspot" - as has happened to every major South African city tonight and a number of other districts.

It sounds less like mini-lockdowns than a targeted public health response in each hotspot. Need to see what this means for testing and quarantine, etc. (Western Cape is providing a preview.)

"The risk of a massive increase in infection is now greater" than it has ever been in South Africa, Ramaphosa says in closing, as he also says reopening must press on and the lockdown's burden has been toughest "on those least able to bear it". A difficult message to balance.

South Africans, what did you make of that?