A local daily last week reported there were fears of exposure to the virus in the Presidency after a staffer was sent home for self-isolation and testing.

This emanated from an internal email sent to the Presidency staff, indicating that the staffer had reported to a senior official that they had come in contact with someone who tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The Presidency said it had deemed it necessary to make the test results public to reassure the nation that the President is in good health and continues with his duties.

President Ramaphosa submitted for testing as a precautionary measure upon the advice of his physicians on Tuesday and received his results on Wednesday night.

Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko said as head of state, President Ramaphosa engages with people from all walks of life.

"In line with international guidelines as well as those of the national department of health, testing is recommended if you experience symptoms, if you live in or recently travelled to an area with ongoing spread of COvid-19 or if you have been in close contact with someone known to have Covid-19," Ms Diko said.

President Ramaphosa this week announced that the country would go into a 21-day nationwide lockdown from midnight on Thursday night in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus.