South Africa struggles to adapt to lockdown after first coronavirus deaths

Fri, Mar 27, 2020
By publisher
2 MIN READ

Africa

SOUTH Africans on Friday struggled to adapt to new confinement rules, with many city streets no less crowded than normal as a strict lock-down regime took effect and the country recorded its first coronavirus deaths.

The 21-day lock-down came into force at midnight. According to the report, it restricts people to their homes for most activities including exercise, only permitting excursions for buying food or health emergencies.

With shops, restaurants, and offices shuttered and the number of confirmed domestic coronavirus cases rising above 1,000, streets in affluent parts of Johannesburg appeared quieter than usual.

No buses ran and some staff of supermarkets that remained open hitched a ride to work in police cars.

However, large crowds continued to gather in nearby Alexandra and other poor townships, where cramped conditions militate against social distancing.

They offered a rich breeding ground for the virus among people reliant on an ailing public health system.

Many are also too poor to weather the associated economic fallout. “I don’t have money, now I am thinking what should I do?

“Because of this, I will be stuck in the house with my babies and everyone and my wife,” street vendor Godfrey Thula told Reuters in downtown Johannesburg.

On Thursday, the health ministry said that the country’s first two deaths from the virus both occurred in Western Cape, 1,000 kilometers to the southwest, while total cases rose above 1,000 from 927.

“The cases include a German, who was detained and quarantined along with 59 other members of a tour group as they tried to leave the country,’’ government news agency SABA reported. (Reuters/NAN)

– Mar. 27, 2020 @ 17:55 GMT |

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