Twitter reacts to #21daysLockdown, when is Thursday midnight?

After President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement last night (23 March) of a nationwide lockdown for 21 days to combat the spread of Covid-19, many South Africans watched the president’s speech in the comfort of their home but people reacted differently to the massive measures.

Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize released the latest confirmed cases which now stand at 554.

The lockdown announcement does mean that many small and medium enterprise business will be impacted, as only essential services such as supermarkets, banks, pharmacies, health care services and petrol stations will remain open.

A donation of R1 billion each from the wealthiest families, the Rupert’s and Oppenheimer’s was announced by the president to help small businesses.

There was some lightheartedness, seriousness in supporting informal traders before the lockdown and general support of each other during this time, as Twitter users shared their thoughts.

#21daysLockdown
Those who needs zolll..this is how you
sny….
Going to snyman in this lockdown.. pic.twitter.com/MLn3jNpAsK

— thabo (@thabo45) March 24, 2020

https://twitter.com/Stha_Tomose/status/1242302455213428737

https://twitter.com/mpumymahl/status/1242353928680980480

I'm sorry but if people such as health workers, bank workers, fast food & grocery store workers are considered to be "essential workers" during a global pandemic then they deserve way more than what they get per month. #LockdownSA #21daysLockdown #shutdownsouthafrica pic.twitter.com/7QL7HBCsuP

— z n i c h 🥷 (@znicho_) March 24, 2020

https://twitter.com/spicenkosi/status/1242324641596813313

https://twitter.com/NicolasManyike/status/1242307333964865537

When you tell South Africans nobody should go out, They'll go out to see if nobody is out #21daysLockdown pic.twitter.com/UziKt3jyFN

— Keamogetse® (@keamogetse_moK) March 24, 2020

https://twitter.com/nictash_tash/status/1242274934442917888

Morning South Africans.

Please remember to buy all the stock from Street Vendors. They'll need the money most.#SupportStreetVendors#21daysLockdown

— Jan Van Potgieter🇿🇦 (@SciTheComedist) March 24, 2020

Where are those guys who used to say "Earn 40k weekly from home" we really need to talk, sorry for ignoring you in the past.#LockdownSA #21daysLockdown #shutdownsouthafrica pic.twitter.com/tAKbdF4j31

— z n i c h 🥷 (@znicho_) March 24, 2020

Then there was the confusion of when the lockdown begins, the president said from 26 March midnight on Thursday.

Guys! When exactly are we shutting down? It seems we’re all confused.

The president said THURSDAY MIDNIGHT, 26 MARCH. That should mean when we wake up on Thursday, we’ll officially be on lockdown.

Right?

— Pamela Mtanga (@pamela_mtanga) March 24, 2020

I'm tired of pretending like I know what is Thursday midnight.
Is it the start of Thursday 00:00 or end of Thursday 23:59? 😕

— SlingShot (@SlingShotLion) March 24, 2020

When this whole pandemic blows over can we please discuss how the whole country was confused about the meaning of Thursday midnight asking if it's the end of Wednesday or beginning of Friday🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/Xrf1pXYuyl

— Vhakoma (@AfricaEden_SA) March 24, 2020

Spokesperson for the Ministry in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli cleared the confusion, she tweeted, “Remember the #LockdownSA will begin at Midnight on Thursday, 26 March 2020. Meaning Day 1 of the #LockdownSA is Friday, 27 March 2020.”

Remember the #LockdownSA will begin at Midnight on Thursday, 26 March 2020. Meaning Day 1 of the #LockdownSA is Friday, 27 March 2020. #Covid_19SA pic.twitter.com/w1oJI0PZD6

— Nonceba Mhlauli (@NoncebaMhlauli) March 23, 2020

Thursday midnight.

The middle of the night of Thursday.

Thursday 23:59 -> Midnight -> Friday 00:01. pic.twitter.com/gU1kanP06k

— 🌱✨ The Fault in our Gwaais ✨🌱 (@AlaricPrins) March 24, 2020

Related articles:

COVID-19: How to bring about calm in a time of panic

Using technology to help minimise the impact of Covid-19 on businesses