IN PHOTOS: Tzaneen locked down
Tzaneen like you’ve probably never seen it before, but probably also not as quiet as you imagined.
After getting the necessary permits, letters, press pass and ID together I headed out to capture what a lockdown might look like in order to share it with our readers.
It was no surprise that the suburbs were dead quiet. You could drive through an entire suburb without seeing a car or a person.
The industrial area was also very quiet apart from the few critical businesses that are still operating. These had a handful of cars in front of them. Otherwise traffic and pedestrians were largely absent.
ALSO READ: Why Herald will be operational during the 21-day lockdown
The CBD area on the other hand was surprisingly busy bearing in mind that we are supposed to be in lockdown. I guess we don’t really have anything to measure against but I found it very surprising to see so many people presumably going about their business as usual, standing around, chatting to one another.
The majority of the roadside parking bays were occupied. Maybe I’ve been watching too many videos online about lockdown in China, but I was expecting a more controlled environment.
ALSO READ: Lockdown Regulations: Everything you need to know
After criss-crossing the streets of the larger part of town for over an hour, I was somewhat disappointed that I was not stopped once and asked to produce any of the heaps of documentation I had ready and waiting on the passenger seat.
Getting back to my computer I was greeted with the news of the first two deaths in South Africa relating directly to Covid-19.
South Africans are great at seeing the good and the funny in every situation. The jokes are still flying on social media and it seems like everyone is trying to think of schemes to get out of the house during lockdown.
People a few houses down the street from us were having one hell of braai last night before diligently ending it at 11:40 so they can get inside before the virus starts at 12pm.
I can’t help but wonder how much worse it will have to be to get everyone on-board and taking this thing seriously.
Dear reader,
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