Watch: A year of Covid-19 on the North Coast in pictures and videos

This week marks one year since South Africa started a nationwide military-patrolled lockdown, which imposed strict curfews and shutdowns in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus.

Some 57 million people were restricted to their homes during the initial 3-week total lockdown which began on Friday, March 27, 2020.

This was extended for a further 3 weeks followed by a partial reopening of certain sectors of the economy on May 1.

The different phases of the lockdown have been captured by the Courier as the country adjusted to a “new normal” after South Africa announced its first case of Covid-19 on March 5, 2020.

The impact of Covid-19 on people’s livelihoods has been severe – unemployment has soared across the world.

On March 27, 2020, the country recorded its first death from the coronavirus, and in one year, that toll skyrocketed to over 50 000 lives lost.

Despite the development of vaccines, many South Africans are still wondering what recovery will look like as the vaccination rollout is going much slower than anticipated.

As of March, 17 only 168,413 people have been vaccinated.

Lockdown timeline:

* March 27, 2020: President Cyril Ramaphosa imposes a 21-day lockdown with some of the toughest restrictions in the world.

All shops and businesses closed, schools were shut, alcohol and cigarettes were banned.

People were only allowed to leave their homes for essential reasons such as to seek medical care, buy food or collect a social grant.

ALSO READ: Covid-19: iLembe district second in KZN days before Level 4 set to start

* May 1, 2020: Level 4 lockdown allowed for people to run, jog, cycle and walk but, only between 6am and 9am.

Beaches remained closed. Taxis and buses could operate between 5am and 7pm.

Wearing of masks was made compulsory for passengers and drivers and a 70% passenger limit was imposed.

Restaurants were only open for take-aways. Curfew was enforced between 8pm and 5am.

* May 5, 2020: Ballito’s surf-loving community took to the streets to appeal to government to be allowed to return to the ocean under Level 4 lockdown, which did not allow swimming and water sports, or access to the beaches.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Surfers march through Ballito for surfing rights

* June 1, 2020: Independent schools opened their doors to grade 7 and 12 pupils.

* June 8 2020: South Africa reopened schools for pupils in certain grades after 2 and a half months of home-schooling.

ALSO READ: Lockdown business casualties begin to emerge in Ballito

* July 12, 2020: Alcohol was banned again just weeks after the first 3-month ban was lifted.

A night-time curfew was also imposed, and the wearing of masks outdoors was made compulsory.

* July 22, 2020: The North Coast restaurant community lent their voices to the nationwide protest as restaurants, take-aways and coffee shops took to the streets to compel the government to lift the ban on alcohol and extend curfew hours.

ALSO READ: WATCH: North Coast restaurants take to the streets protesting “devastating” lockdown rules

The protest followed massive job and income losses suffered by the industry.

* August 1, 2020: There was a rush on cigarette sales after a near 5-month ban. South Africa imposed an unprecedented ban to prevent respiratory problems associated with Covid-19, but few smokers were deterred, thanks to the thriving illegal market.

* 5 August, 2020: Gym owners, trainers and fitness enthusiasts joined a nationwide protest calling on government to allow them to operate after more than 4 months of closure.

ALSO READ: North Coast churches say ‘God will lead the way’ as new normal sets in

* September 27, 2020: A newly established KwaDukuza field hospital was set up to bolster the region’s Covid-19 response. The 112-bed hospital was built in 7 weeks and cost R25 million. The project was a public/private partnership.

* December 28, 2020: South Africa was moved to adjusted level 3 from level 1. Alcohol was banned and the nationwide curfew was extended from 9pm to 6am while non-essential establishments, which included shops, restaurants, bars and all cultural venues, had to close at 8pm. All indoor and outdoor gatherings were prohibited. iLembe district was declared a coronavirus hotspot.

ALSO READ: Learning to continue in 2nd wave, say North Coast schools

* February 1, 2021: Ramaphosa announced that SA will remain on adjusted lockdown alert level 3 but allowed for many restrictions to be lifted, including the alcohol sale ban, restrictions on faith-based gatherings and a shortening of the curfew. Public places like beaches, parks and public swimming pools were reopened.

* March 3, 2021: As the fight against the pandemic gets underway, frontline health workers at the General Justice Gizenga Mpanza Regional Hospital (formerly Stanger hospital) were the first on the North Coast to be vaccinated against Covid-19.