Lockdown at midnight

Streets in George will be very quiet from tomorrow, Friday 27 March, when residents at the foot of the Outeniquas find themselves in the unprecedented position of being under lockdown.

This after President Cyril Ramaphosa's announcement that the country will be under lockdown for three weeks in an effort to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.

His public address on Monday 23 March followed a six-fold increase in the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases, from 61 last week to 402 on Monday. From then up until yesterday, 25 March, the number almost doubled to 709.

Only those employed in jobs and services that are deemed essential to safeguard citizens and their well-being will continue working during the national lockdown, said the President. All other South Africans must stay at home for the duration of the lockdown up until 16 April, except to do essential shopping for food, medicine and other basic needs.

"It is clear from the development of the disease in other countries and from our own modelling that immediate, swift and extraordinary action is required if we are to prevent a human catastrophe of enormous proportions in our country.

“I am concerned that a rapid rise in infections will stretch our health services beyond what we can manage and many people will not be able to access the care they need. Our fundamental task at this moment is to contain the spread of the disease."

He said without decisive action, hundreds of thousands of people could be infected in a matter of weeks.

"This is extremely dangerous for a population like ours, with a large number of people with suppressed immunity because of HIV and TB, and high levels of poverty and malnutrition."

Solidarity Fund

A solidarity fund has been established in which contributions can be made for the support of the vulnerable in this time.

Government has provided a startup amount of R150million.

The fund will be used to combat the spread of the virus, help track the spread, care for those who are ill and support for those whose lives are disrupted, said the President.

Furthermore, the Rupert and Oppenheimer families have each committed R1-billion to assist small businesses and their employees affected by the pandemic.

The President also announced measures to help cushion the country from the economic impact.

"The success of our fight against this coronavirus pandemic depends on the efforts of every citizen and their commitment to help others," he said.