Lockdown Day 1: Midrand becomes a ghost town

South Africa came under a nationwide military-patrolled lockdown on Friday, joining other African countries imposing strict curfews and shutdowns in an attempt to halt the spread of the coronavirus across the continent.

Some 57 million people are to be restricted to their homes during South Africa's three-week total lockdown which began at midnight.

Ramaphosa officially deployed the police in Pretoria on Thursday ahead of the national lockdown.

In accordance with Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula's call to minimise taxi movement, Boulders Taxi Rank was mostly deserted, with the exception of a few taxis transporting essential workers.

Some stores opened earlier than usual to allow people to buy necessities.

A nurse, who was doing early morning shopping said is at the frontline of the pandemic and believes the government is doing enough to protect health workers.

"I think I am safe because all the measures have been put in place. I think it was done well.

"I am in the frontline. I can also educate the people at home.”