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THE COVID-19 LOCKDOWN Q & A
 

The President declared a 21 day nationwide lockdown from midnight 26 March 2020 until midnight 16 April 2020

 

WHAT POWER DOES THE ARMY HAVE?

  • The South African National Defense Force will support the Police during the lockdown, in combat uniform and armed with standard R4 rifles

  • They will have the power of arrest, but having done so must hand the arrested person over to the police immediately, with a statement giving the reason for the arrest

  • Both the Police and the army must follow the principles of minimum force

 

IF YOU ARE STOPPED WHILE OUT

  • Supply your reason for leaving home which should be accepted if in line with the guidelines from the South African Government.

  • You should be afforded the normal rights. A state of disaster should by definition be implemented in a matter consistent with the Bill of Rights.

 

WHAT PRODUCTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BUY?

  • Any food product including non-alcohol beverages, animal food, chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in production of food products

  • Toilet paper, sanitary towels, condoms

  • Hand sanitiser, disinfectant and soap

  • Alcohol for industry use

  • Household cleaning products

  • Personal protective equipment

  • Chemicals, packaging, and ancillary products used in the production of the above

 

WHEN CAN I LEAVE HOME?

  • For medical treatment

  • To buy food

  • To go to the bank

  • To buy petrol

  • To visit the pharmacy

  • If you perform Essential Services that has been so declared

  • If you have been authorised to do so, to perform auxiliary services for Essential Services

  • To collect Social Grants

 

DO I NEED PERMISSION TO LEAVE HOME?

  • You do not need permission

  • You may only leave home for the exceptions provided – such as food, petrol, medical treatment and to collect social grants

 

WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO GET TRANSPORT?

  • All commuter transport are prohibited except for:

    • Obtaining essential goods

    • Seeking medical attention

    • Funeral services

    • Obtaining social grants

  • Each vehicle can only carry no more than 50% of the load licensed to carry

 

IS ANY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ALLOWED OUTSIDE OUR HOMES?

  • You are not allowed LEAVE your property for running, hiking, biking, swimming, or for walking your dog etc. 

  • We all need to be creative and get exercise inside our own property

 

Remember that exercise, adequate sleep, healthy food & fluid intake are all ways in which we can make our bodies stronger to fight Covid-19!