South Africa’s seasonally-adjusted Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) contracted to its lowest ever in April with manufacturing activity forced to a standstill due to the coronavirus and a lockdown entering its sixth week.
The index, which gauges manufacturing activity in Africa’s most industrialized economy, fell to 5.1 points from 48.1 points in March, its lowest on record as a number respondents indicated that zero production took place during the lockdown.
The country has reported 6,336 cases of the coronavirus, with 123 deaths.
Government implemented a nation-wide lockdown in late March, with restrictions seeing a swathe of business closed or operating at minimal capacity.
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