The South African president has announced the easing of some restrictions that have been in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.

In a televised address Cyril Ramaphosa said due to a decline in infections an overnight curfew would be shortened, alcohol restrictions would be eased and larger gatherings allowed.

He said the supply of vaccines was no longer a constraint and called on people to play their part in stopping the spread of the virus by coming forward to get jabbed.

He added that the authorities were looking for ways to introduce “vaccine passports, which can be used as evidence of vaccination for various purposes” - raising fears that vaccines would be compulsory.

About one in five adults in South Africa has now been fully vaccinated - a far higher rate than elsewhere in Africa.

It is the worst-hit country on the continent with close to 85,000 deaths from Covid-19.

About 3% of Africa's population has been vaccinated.