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Every person will be confined to their place of residence unless required to perform an essential service, shop for essential goods and medicines, collect a social grant or seek emergency, lifesaving or chronic medical attention.

All gatherings are prohibited, except for funerals, which may not have more than 50 people. Movement between provinces, metro cities and districts is prohibited.

Categorisation of essential goods and services during lockdown

Categories of essential services shall be confined to the following services:

At midnight on Thursday, 26 March, the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster intensified measures to ensure that citizens comply with the regulations of the nationwide lockdown to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Police Minister Bheki Cele said the police would work with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to enforce compliance.

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has put measures in place to support learners during the national coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown.

Minister Angie Motshekga met with the Council of Education Ministers (CEM) to evaluate plans that will ensure learners are better informed about the virus and that they continue their education in their homes. The DBE also held a series of consultative meetings with provincial departments of education.

South Africa’s tourism sector has been grounded by the coronavirus, which has resulted in trips being cancelled or postponed.

All tourism attractions, places that offer holiday accommodation and restaurants have closed as part of the nationwide 21-day lockdown, which exempts only essential services businesses.

The measures taken to contain the spread of the virus are enforceable, says Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.

Social grant payments for the elderly and people with disabilities is in full swing as South Africa enters Day 4 of the 21-day lockdown to curb COVID-19.

In preparation for the lockdown, social security agency - SASSA - announced that grants for the elderly and people with disabilities will be paid from 30 - 31 March 2020. The Social security agency’s decision to pay grants earlier is in response to the State of National Disaster, as announced by President Ramaphosa on 15 March 2020.

The Gauteng Department of Health has added a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) feature to its Mpilo – Healthcare mobile app, which was launched last year to improve service delivery in healthcare facilities.  

The Mpilo – Healthcare App is the department’s digital platform that empowers residents with healthcare-related information.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged South Africans not to panic following his recent announcement of the coronavirus being a national disaster and pandemic. 

He also advises every citizen to take charge of their own safety by observing measures such as frequent hand-washing with soap or hand-sanitisers and covering their nose or mouth with a tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.

The Department of Basic Education has provided guidance for childcare facilities and schools to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

To prevent the spread of the Coronavirus in South Africa government has announced that schools have been closed from 18 March until after the Easter Weekend.

To compensate for this, mid-year school holidays will be shortened by a week.