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.
- Commonwealth countries must create 5,000 jobs everyday till 2030 - Foreign Affairs Minister
- Use COVID-19 fund to strengthen health care, immunization financing — HFFG
- Parliament records a new case of coronavirus
- Breach of coronavirus safety protocols: GMA calls for action
- Chadians line up for Sinopharm as coronavirus vaccination campaign begins
- Read all related articles