Lockdown is in full effect, and most South Africans are staying indoors.

A few still think it’s fine to go wandering – a number of pictures and videos emerged last week of people jogging or walking their dogs.

To be clear, you cannot go outside for a stroll. The rules clearly state that you have to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.

Before the lockdown went into full effect, many South Africans with the means to do so, stockpiled more food and supplies than it’s humanly possible to consume in 21 days, filling the shops and emptying the shelves.

For a lot of South Africans, this wasn’t an option.

While many of us sipped beers on our balconies or enjoyed a Netflix marathon from the comfort of the couch this weekend, those who live in overcrowded townships tried to get the food they need to survive.

Sky News spent a day in Alexandra, a particularly underprivileged area in Johannesburg.

We began the day outside the Freedom Supermarket, where a 500m queue began at the front door. Across the road, a similarly lengthy line ended at a metal gate which stood in front of the local bank.

Police attempted to maintain order, but it was difficult to get such a large crowd to stand the required one metre apart from one another:

People need to eat.

The people of Alexandra are aware of the coronavirus and the effect that it is having on South Africa. At the time of writing, we have 1 280 confirmed cases.

In Alexandra, there’s limited access to preventative supplies like masks or hand sanitiser. Here’s one shopper’s take on the situation:

“We are out now, going shopping, we are meeting different people. If I am infected, maybe this man [in front of me] is not infected and I am spreading the virus to him. It is not going to work. It is not going to work.”

Later in the day, several hundred soldiers arrived in Alexandra to help get a handle on the situation, but even in their homes, residents are living in close proximity to one another.

The rules of the lockdown are strict, but they’ll be difficult to enforce in areas like Alexandra.

[source:skynews]