Covid-19 lockdown!

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night declared a 21-day national lockdown as part of stricter measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The lockdown from midnight on March 26 to midnight on April 16 will mean a “stay-at-home” for everyone in the county, except for essential personnel such as doctors, nurses and police.

ALSO READ : Pupil diagnosed with anxiety after fake Covid-19 news post does rounds on social media

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 will be exempt from the lockdown.

“Those employed in jobs and services that are deemed to be essential to safeguard citizens and their well-being will continue working during the national lockdown.’

It will also include 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 the provision of medical and hygiene products. A full list of essential personnel will be published.

All shops and businesses will be closed, except for pharmacies, laboratories, banks, essential financial and payment services, including the JSE, supermarkets, petrol stations and health care providers.

“Companies that are essential to the production and transportation of food, basic goods and medical supplies will remain open. We will publish a full list of the categories of businesses that should remain open.

Mr Ramaphosa said firms that are able to continue their operations remotely should do so.

“Provision will be made for essential transport services to continue, including transport for essential staff and for patients who need to be managed elsewhere.

He added that essential businesses and services will continue to operate to ensure South Africans have access to the necessities of life.

“Our fundamental task is to contain the spread of the disease. We must therefore do everything to reduce the overall number of infections.

“Individuals will not be allowed to leave their homes except under strictly controlled circumstances,” he said.

He said temporary shelters that meet the necessary hygiene standards will be identified for homeless people. Sites are also being identified for quarantine and self-isolation for people who cannot self-isolate at home.

Emergency water supplies will be provided to informal settlements and rural areas.

People will not be allowed to leave their homes except under strictly controlled circumstances, such as to seek medical care, buy food, medicine and other supplies or collect a social grant.

He said some roads would be closed with only main roads remaining open, to control movement during the lockdown.

Ramaphosa said the SANDF will be deployed to assist the SAPS to ensure that all the lockdown is adhered to.

“Observing the national lockdown is essential for the health and safety of all South Africans, particularly those who are most vulnerable. Those found guilty of violating the lockdown rules will face harsh penalties.”

“Due to disruptions in supply and distribution of goods, medical and other supplies will be secured and stored in bulk.”

Community health teams will focus on expanding screening and testing where people live, focusing first on high density and high-risk areas.

ALSO READ : HERE’s where can you can get tested for Covid-19 on the KZN South Coast

On Monday, the total number of confirmed cases in SA jumped to 402, only three weeks after the first case in the country was announced.

At the time of going to print, the South Coast region had at least two positive cases of coronavirus – a man (55) from Ramsgate and a man (42) from Shelley Beach.

Last week a statement shared across various social media platforms claimed a local high school had closed after the parent of a pupil was suspected of having the disease.

He and his family self-isolated and have since been cleared.

Last week, Umdoni Municipality announced the temporary closure of public facilities to prohibit the spread of coronavirus.

This included municipal beaches and swimming pools, libraries, campsites and community halls.

The Mail asked several people how they felt about the coronavirus threat.

The majority said they were fearful of being out in public, while a handful said that it was nothing to really be concerned about because it was “just another type of flu”.

In order to keep yourself safe, it is advised that you take precautionary measures such as washing your hands regularly, using hand sanitisers frequently, avoiding touching your face especially your mouth, nose and eyes and to maintain social distancing.

If you have coronavirus symptoms or suspect that you have been affected, contact the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) helpline at 0800 029 999.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram