South Africa’s national lockdown made a chaotic start today as people crowded outside supermarkets and packed into taxis despite a growing coronavirus outbreak.
The country of 57million people began a three-week quarantine today as the government confirmed South Africa’s first two deaths from the virus.
But there were widespread signs of the lockdown being ignored this morning, with bustling streets and long queues outside shops in townships in Johannesburg where cramped conditions make social distancing near impossible.
Footage showed people trying to cram into a taxi in Gauteng, forcing police to drag some of the passengers back outside.
Footage from Sky News showed people waiting in a long queue outside a supermarket, without maintaining a safety distance, in Johannesburg this morning
A South African police officer tries to enforce social distancing – with little visible success – outside a supermarket in Hillbrow in Johannesburg this morning
Police were making arrests within minutes of the lockdown coming into force at midnight last night, South African media said.
According to The South African, one group of drinkers and a tavern owner were arrested after staying out at a pub in Johannesburg despite the lockdown rules.
The drastic quarantine measures include bans on alcohol sales and even dog walking outside the home.
Others were queuing up for transport at bus terminals on Friday morning despite the public health measures.
At least one person was arrested and taken into a police van after cycling on the highway without authorisation, the city of Johannesburg said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has deployed the military to patrol the streets, with security forces shouting at people through megaphones.
After daybreak, police and military forces surrounded a few dozen homeless people in downtown Johannesburg close to the main train station.
A long queue outside a supermarket in Johannesburg this morning, as people crowded outside a shop despite the national lockdown which came into effect today
A police officer in Johannesburg puts on a mask as authorities prepare to enforce the national lockdown which came into effect today
Public transport is operating during the rush hour with limits on passenger numbers, but complaints quickly were reported of operators charging double the price.
People are meant to go outside only to obtain essentials such as groceries or medical care or to provide essential services.
The number of confirmed cases in South Africa has already passed 1,000, making it the largest outbreak in Africa.
South Africa’s health minister said the country’s first two deaths had occurred in Western Cape province, home of Cape Town.
‘This morning, we South Africans wake up with sad news that we now have our first deaths resulting from COVID-19,’ the health ministry said in a statement.
Health minister Zweli Mkhize has warned that infections are expected to keep rising.
The minister promised to release more details later ‘when we announce the latest confirmed COVID-19 cases, which have increased from yesterday’s number and have tipped the 1,000 mark’.
Both deaths had occurred in the southernmost province of Western Cape, with one in a public hospital and the other in a private hospital, the statement read.
Ramaphosa rallied his soldiers last night with a speech in which he told troops to ‘go out and defend the people of South Africa’.
‘Our people will be looking to you to give them assurance, not as a force of might but as a force of kindness,’ he said.
‘They must know that you will be looking after them. Go and support our people. Go and defend our people.’
South Africa’s borders will be closed during the lockdown except for supplies of fuel and essential goods, the president’s office said.
Soldiers of the South African National Defence Force escort a homeless woman to a gathering point in Johannesburg
People are taken into a van early this morning as Johannesburg police began enforcing the national lockdown at midnight
All international and domestic passenger flights have been shut down to stop the spread of the virus.
Ministers may make special exemptions if someone needs to enter the country for life-saving medical care.
According to South African media, at least two people already face attempted murder charges for ignoring orders to self-isolate after testing positive for the virus.
One of them is a tourist who tested positive for coronavirus while staying in the Kruger National Park but is accused of ignoring orders to self-isolate in his lodge.
The other is a salon owner in the city of Ladysmith, who was arrested after 27 people came into contact with him at his workplace and a religious gathering he attended after allegedly refusing to go into quarantine.
President Ramaphosa himself has tested negative after taking the test as a precautionary measure, his office said yesterday.
The president underwent the test on Tuesday on the advice of physicians and received his results on Wednesday night, a statement said.