Ballito early this morning saw traffic nearly grid-locked entirely as a mad dash was made to get to the shops – the majority of which are set to open at 9am.

Traffic could be seen queueing up well beyond Ballito Drive at The Ballito Junction Regional Mall and Ballito Lifestyle Centre, down toward Seaward Estate and the M4 robots.

But by midday most of the congestion had reduced visibly.

Traffic is being controlled at the town’s 4 check points and cars are entering the shopping centres in a controlled manor without obstructing traffic flow.

Trucks loaded with supplies have arrived at numerous shopping centres already today with fresh produce.

Fuel supplies are also reported to be arriving over the next few days.

Fuel supplies are also reported to be arriving over the next few days.

Editor Lesley Naudé reporting live at 10.23am:

Reporter Juan Venter reporting live at 6.52am:

Shops are opening with strict limitations to avoid compromising stock levels, staff safety as well as the safety of residents.

Customers are limited to 20 items per store.

Banks remain closed while clinics reopen – the sale of fuel remain limited to security, responders, retail and municipal services.

Greater Ballito Operations Centre (GBOC) announced yesterday that only residents within the Greater Ballito area could be assisted.

There are special exceptions to motorists which do not have NT registration plates – these include local employees, critical municipal services, healthcare, entry of essential goods into Ballito (Councillor Privi Makhan will manage requests for car pass stickers. Contact her at privi.m@gmail.com).

Here are your specific centre instructions:

Ballito Lifestyle Centre

All of the restrictions mentioned in the original article will still apply. (Read here).

For vehicles, the only access point is at the Nando’s entrance with 200 vehicles being allowed into the centre at any one time.

Thereafter, access will be controlled in a 1 in, 1 out system.

For pedestrians, the only access point is at the pedestrian gate on Ballito Drive.

200 pedestrians will be permitted access at any one time, after which access will be controlled in a 1 in, 1 out system.

Shopper numbers will be controlled at individual store entry points, thereafter 1 in, 1 out.

• Lifestyle SuperSpar, East Coast Pharmacy and Absolute Pets will be open from 9am to 4pm.
• Dischem Pharmacy will be open from 9am to 3pm.
• Woolworths Food market will be open from 9.30am to 3pm.

ALSO READ: Retailers in Ballito, Salt Rock and Sheffield to reopen with strict limitations

Queues will be managed towards closing times both at the centre access points and at the individual shops.

Depending on the length of queues, no further customers may be permitted to join the queue to prevent conflict or disappointment.

• Checkers
• Pet Zone
• Absolute Pets
• Yamis  (take away only)
• Mochachos (take away only)
• Col’cacchio (take away only)
• Water Well
• BK Biltong & Coffee Shop
• ATMs
• Clicks

Vehicle access will be limited and access points controlled.

Shoppers are limited to 1 member per family and shopping items will be limited.

Ballito Junction will open stores from 9am to 4pm.

These stores include:

• Pick n Pay
• Checkers
• Dischem
• Aloe Vet – emergencies only
• Wozza Meats
• Clicks
• Absolute Pets

Vehicle access points include level 6 nearest to Pick n Pay as well as level 2 parking gate at Wakenshaw Entrance.

Pedestrians can access at the 2 gates along Ballito Drive.