The level of uncertainty and panic in South Africa is fever-pitch. On Monday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus, the country will effectively go into lockdown.
South Africa is locked: A brief look at what Ramaphosa said
What this means, in simple terms, is that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), working in tandem with the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been tasked with restricting the non-essential movement of people.
The lockdown will continue for a period of 21 days, effective from midnight on Thursday 26 March until midnight, Thursday 16 April. During this time, people will be forced to stay indoors and only be outside for the following reasons:
- Going to the grocery store;
- visiting the pharmacy or a medical centre; or
- collecting social grants.
Outside of these reasons, being outside will be deemed as a criminal offence, punishable by a fine or, under serious circumstances, imprisonment.
These sectors will remain operational as they are deemed to be essential for our society’s survival:
- Health workers;
- Emergency personnel;
- Law enforcement officials;
- Military officers;
- Workers in production, distribution of food and basic goods;
- Basic services personnel (electricity, water supply etc.);
- Laboratories;
- Provision of hygiene products; and
- Other persons in essential services.
While the government has said that it will announce further measures it has in place to offer relief to those affected by this extreme social distancing protocol, Mzansi’s celebrities have been doing their part in raising awareness on complying with the law and staying at home.
Celebrities react to coronavirus nationwide lockdown
The general reception of the president’s speech from the higher-ups of South Africa’s society has been positively received.
Some celebs applauded Ramaphosa’s pragmatic approach to addressing the urgencies of the pandemic.
Others were uncharacteristically thankful for the generosity shown by his allies, the two richest South African families — the Ruperts and Oppenheimers.
This is how Mzansi’s celebs reacted to the news delivered by the president: