Coronavirus SA National Lockdown: What You Need To Know

The president announced last night that from midnight on Thursday, March 26, until midnight on Thursday, April 16, the country will be locked down.

That's 21 days of staying indoors except under exceptional circumstances.

While this is going to be a trying time, it's important to remember that the lockdown is a necessary measure to flatten the curve and get a handle on the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa.

There is currently no vaccine or 100% effective treatment for the virus which has affected the elderly and the immune compromised most severely.

Therefore, a lockdown is the most efficient way to get things under control.

You will not be able to visit bars or restaurants, go for a walk, visit friends and family or go to work, unless you're in one of the exempt professions.

The following people will be exempt:

• health workers in the public and private sectors;
• emergency personnel;
• those in security services - such as the police, traffic officers, military medical personnel, soldiers - and other persons necessary for our response to the pandemic;
• those involved in the production, distribution and supply of food and basic goods;
• essential banking services;
• the maintenance of power, water and telecommunications services;
• laboratory services;
• and those in the provision of medical and hygiene products.

All businesses and shops will be closed except for the following:

• pharmacies;
• laboratories;
• banks;
• essential financial and payment services, including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange;
• supermarkets;
• petrol stations;
• and healthcare providers.

If it's possible for your company to operate with your employees working remotely, you are encouraged to continue operations.

An emergency falls under the banner of "exceptional circumstances". As previously stated, hospitals and other emergency services will remain operational.

Do not 'panic buy' over the next few days. We are not going to run out of food and other resources. It's also important to remember that over the next two days while public transport is still running, people living in townships and areas with limited access to shops and pharmacies will need to stock up on goods.

If you empty the shelves, they will be left with limited resources to tide them over.

This is important. You will not be allowed to leave your home except under strict circumstances, such as to buy food, seek medical care, buy medicine and other supplies or collect a social grant.

The lockdown is not a suggestion, it's the law. If you violate the rules of the lockdown, you could find yourself in jail. The National Defence force will be working with SAPS to ensure that the lockdown is implemented correctly.

"This is a decisive measure to save millions of South Africans from infection and save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people." - Cyril Ramaphosa