South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster on Sunday as he announced a range of measures to contain a COVID-19 outbreak that has so far infected 61 and showed the first signs of internal transmission.

Measures to be taken include travel bans to countries such as Italy, Germany, China and the United States, adding that government has cancelled visas to visitors from high-risk countries from Sunday, with previously granted visas also revoked.

All schools will close from March 18 until after the Easter weekend, and the government will also prohibit gatherings of more than 100 people and cancel large events and celebrations, Ramaphosa said.