'Millions of jobs could go' - SA Treasury

South Africa's Treasury has given a stark warning about the economic cost of the coronavirus pandemic, saying between three and seven million people in the country could lose their jobs.

"The fact is that the lockdown had brought economic activity to a standstill," Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said at a joint ministerial briefing with Treasury Director General Dondo Mogajane on Thursday.

National lockdown restrictions have been eased and more than a million people are expected to return to work, the BBC's Pumza Filhani reports, including in the manufacturing and construction sectors.

Restaurants and fast food outlets can now operate but only through deliveries – and will have set hours.

Speaking to parliament on Thursday, Mr Mboweni also said some "poorly functioning" state-owned firms would be sold, but did not give further details.

He has in the past called for troubled national carrier South Africa Airways (SAA) to be shut down completely, saying it would probably fail to attract any investors.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Bloomberg