As of Thursday March 26, the lives of many South Africans will be fundamentally changed.
This is after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a nationwide lock-down on Monday night. This step – which the president said was drastic but necessary – will see millions of South Africans restricted to their homes and many services being unavailable.
But some people and businesses will be exempt, including:
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.
Ramaphosa said a full list of essential personnel would be published soon.
All shops and businesses will be closed, except for:
pharmacies;
laboratories;
banks;
essential financial and payment services, including the Johannesburg Stock Exchange;
supermarkets;
petrol stations; and
healthcare providers.
“Any other businesses that are able to continue their operations remotely should do so,” said Ramaphosa.
