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President Cyril Ramaphosa addressed soldiers at the Doornkop army base on Thursday evening ahead of the lockdown, saying the army’s deployment to assist in the fight against COVID-19 was unprecedented and necessary.
Dressed in full military gear, commander in chief, President Ramaphosa, said this was one of the country’s toughest battles yet.
“As you begin this most important mission in the history of our country, our country has never been through a period like this.”
The army will be deployed as an essential service to ensure the lockdown is implemented. He said he had faith the army would be able to maintain law and order.
Lockdown do’s and don’ts
- Starting Friday, you have to stay home
- You can leave to buy groceries or medicine or go to your doctor
- If you are stopped and asked why you are out, you need to explain
- Shop at the store closest to you, if you don’t find what you need there, go to the next nearest store
- You will only be able to buy food and other items listed as essential – so you won’t be able to buy clothes or homeware at your local multi-item store
- The government will keep supply lines open, grocery stores will remain open – the government is working with retailers and food and essential goods producers to ensure supplies reach the shops
- The Police minister was very clear – you won’t be able to buy alcohol during the lockdown – at all. Anywhere. You are not even allowed to move a six-pack to your neighbour’s
- No jogging, no dog walking, no exercise
- If you have an elderly or vulnerable relative you may deliver food to or take them to the doctor, but if you are stopped and asked why you are out, you will need to explain
- Minister Lindiwe Zulu is requesting that children remain with the primary custody holder and that they only be moved under exceptional circumstances
- If you rely on public transport or metered taxis and e-hailing services to get you to the shops or the doctor, they will only be available and allowed to transport people and essential service workers between 5 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm
- They will have to be comprehensively sanitized after every trip – only one passenger in a four-person car; only 3 passengers in an 8 person vehicle
- Uber says there will be no surge pricing during the lockdown. It’s clarified Ubers can only be used to obtain an essential good or service (grocery/medicine shopping) or for rendering an essential service (eg getting to work if you are an essential worker, or taking food to a vulnerable person eg an elderly parent who can’t go out)
- UberX, UberGO, UberBLACK, UberASSIST, UberVIP – Maximum of 1 passenger UberXL – Maximum of 2 passengers UberVan – Maximum of 3 passengers
- UberEats will not be operating during the lockdown
The importance of social distancing and staying indoors is of utmost importance as we enter a time of lockdown.
