People from all over the world have been asking me what lockdown is like in South Africa
Sitting here inside my house in Cape Town during our Lockdown, gives plenty of time to reflect, ponder, do DIY and plan. What does lockdown in South Africa look like? Pretty simple really, you can’t leave your house unless you need to buy groceries, go to the pharmacy or go to hospital, that’s it.
Cape Town’s most famous street, Long Street. No a soul in sight and a big poster at the end of the road reading “Stay Home”
As the Ticket to Ride South Africa trip was drawing to a close, things started moving quickly worldwide regarding Coronavirus. The timely ‘big announcement’ by the South African President.
On Sunday 15th March Cyril Ramaphosa called a National state of emergency. From the 18th March international tourists would no longer be allowed to arrive from certain high-risk countries. The border to Mozambique (where we were heading to 11 days later), would also be closed.
By the following Sunday, the government announced a nationwide lockdown to begin on Friday the 26th March.
By this stage beaches up in Durban had already been closed. Cape Town was soon to follow before the official lockdown rules would forbid it completely. On the Wednesday night it was announced that as of Thursday night, no flights would be arriving or departing from South Africa. There would also be a the ban on all sale of alcohol and tobacco during lockdown. The only stores still open are grocery stores. Even here, certain sections would be closed, the key terminology “Essential Items”. Essential services continue to operate, but this is very strict.
Lockdown in South Africa includes a ban on all sales of alcohol and tobacco.
The always hustling and bustling Muizenberg Beach enjoying some unridden waves for a change.
Lockdown in South Africa means lockdown
The 21 Day lockdown has now turned into a 50+ days of lockdown.
Strict rules of no more than two people in a car, with one having to sit in the back and having to wear masks if so also apply. For more insight into what this looks like and for my view on the reasons for the strict lockdown, the impact it has had on both Coronavirus as well as the economy and more, check in on the Ticket to Ride Live instagram feed tomorrow night where I will be talking to Wavelength Surf Magazine 1930 GMT Monday 4 May 2020