23 March 2020 – Required all people to stay at home unless performing essential services

Intervention Categories: Social and physical distancing measures; Domestic travel
Level of Jurisdiction: National

Overview: The Government of South Africa established a nationwide lockdown, effective from 26 March until 16 April. All people are ordered to stay at home unless seeking medical care, buying food or medicine or other supplies, and collecting a social grant.

Certain people are exempted, including health workers, emergency workers, security services workers, and people involved in the production, distribution, and supply of food and basic services, laboratory services, and the provision of medical and hygiene products.

All shops and businesses will be closed except for essential service providers like pharmacies, laboratories, banks, essential financial and payment services, supermarkets, petrol stations and healthcare providers.
Firms that are able to continue operations remotely should do so.

Provision will be made for essential transport services to continue, including transport for essential staff and patients.
Full details here: https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-escalation-measures-combat-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-23-mar