Just a week after the COVID-19 virus was declared a National State of Emergency in South Africa, President Ramaphosa addressed the nation again to announce a nation-wide lockdown as of Thursday 26 March for 3 weeks.

It must have been an extremely tough call to make, but we’re extremely grateful for our government’s swift actions and we’re so proud to be South African!

 

We’re just about a week into lockdown, and we’d love to hear how you’re holding up! Lockdown may be a difficult pill to swallow, but we have to remember that if we don’t take drastic measures now, things will only continue to escalate. Here are a few things you should and should not do during lockdown.

 

What NOT to do:

  • Don’t leave the house unless you absolutely have to go to the shop for essentials or for medical help.
  • Do not travel to work unless you fall on this list of essential services.
  • You are not allowed to go for a jog or walk the dog.
  • Do not cram the whole family in the car for a shopping trip. Only 2 people are allowed per car when going out for essentials - The driver and a passenger.
  • Don’t venture out into the world while en route to the shop. All public places are closed. This includes restaurants, parks, beaches etc.
  • Do not share crockery/cutlery/towels/bedding or other items in the home just to be safe.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Your hands pick up all kinds of germs throughout the day, so it is important to be mindful of not bringing these germs close to your face.

 

What you SHOULD do:

  • Wash your hands frequently and correctly with soap and water. If you do not have soap and water readily available you can use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Click HERE to watch a video explaining exactly how to wash your hands to get rid of as many germs as possible.
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue and dispose thereof safely. The Corona-virus is spread through droplets, so limiting the spread of these can slow the infection rate of the virus considerably.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects regularly. Soap and water won’t work in this case. You need to use disinfectant with a bleach or alcohol base. This includes keys, door handles, your phone, the TV remote, the bathroom, kitchen surfaces, light switches, etc.
  • If you start showing symptoms or feel ill at all, please seek medical care immediately and isolate yourself from any human contact. Phone the hotline (0800 029 999) or your doctor immediately.
  • If someone in your home is infected, they need to be quarantined in their own room and use their own bathroom if possible. And contact between them and the rest of the family should not take place at all. 
  • Stay informed and do not panic. Check your sources and don’t spread fake news on WhatsApp or other social media platforms.
  • Check in with your loved ones. Call them or send them a message and make sure they’re ok. 
  • If you have an elderly neighbour, send them a message before going to the shop so that you can pick up some things for them. Leave the items or package at their door to avoid physical contact.

 

Where to get essentials:

Spar, Checkers, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Woolworths, Food Lover’s Market and Makro will remain open during lockdown, but you will only be able to buy certain products deemed as essential these coming weeks. Here’s a list of products that will be available for sale during lockdown.



Important Resources: 

  • Call the NICD Hotline if you have any symptoms: 0800 029 999
  • The National Government set up a WhatsApp support line on 0600 123456
  • Please visit The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and World Health Organisation (WHO) websites for more information on the COVID-19 virus.
  • IOL compiled a list of places where you can get tested in SA. Click HERE to find out more.

 

If you need any additional information please visit https://sacoronavirus.co.za.

 

We’d love to hear how you’re dealing with the lockdown and what you’re getting up to. Share with us on our Facebook page and member’s group. 




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