NATIONAL NEWS - Even though president Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday announced a three-week nationwide lockdown, much uncertainty still reigned over the situation.
In an effort to try and clarify some of the uncertainty, KPH details the ins and outs of SA's looming lockdown as they were published by the South African Presidency on the country's official coronavirus website.
What is a lockdown?
A lockdown is an emergency protocol that requires South Africans to stay at home except for essential purposes. Grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, and other essential industries will remain open. All non-essential activities are suspended. The full national lockdown will begin tonight, Thursday 26 March, at 23:59 and will continue for the next 21 days until 17 April.
What is the purpose of a lockdown?
The nationwide lockdown is necessary to fundamentally disrupt the chain of transmission. It will hopefully prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and save the lives of South Africans.
What if you break the rules?
Anyone breaking the rules could be punished with imprisonment for up to one month or with a fine.
What if you have an emergency?
Emergency services including doctors, clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies will continue to operate as usual as part of the essential services list.
What will you be able to do under lockdown?
You will be able to seek medical care, buy groceries, visit the pharmacy, access banking services, get fuel, collect a social grant. Although various ministers and reports stated that it would be allowed to get fresh air, walk your dogs, and do exercise, this statement was categorically contradicted by the Minister for Police Bheki Cele last night at 17:30 during a ministerial briefing and later Minister Dlamini Zuma. Monitor the KPH website for further details.
What is the list of essential services?
- Those responsible for essential care of the elderly and sick persons, including home-care and old-age homes;
- Essential private security services for the protection of property and persons;
- All essential back-office services to enable salary and human resource departments to work so as to ensure smooth management of wage and salary payments;
- Essential animal welfare and emergency veterinary services;
- Those who assist in transporting food and other essentials to people's homes including online retail, as well as transport systems that support any of the essential services;
- Key maintenance systems required at workplaces to avoid serious damage to economic assets, where the interruption of that service will destroy critical working areas, factories or machinery;
- Members of Parliament, provincial legislatures, municipal councils and their core staff, as well as government departments and public entities' staff responsible to assist with implementation of the measures announced by the president;
- Members of the media and broadcasting services, who will serve as vital communication between government and the public;
- Transportation of fuel, food and basic goods supply trucks between SADC countries.
Information courtesy of the South African Presidency, and Business Tech
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