South Africa went into lockdown (Alert level 5) from midnight 26 March to 30 April 2020. A five-level COVID-19 alert system had been introduced—a risk-adjusted approach guided by several criteria.
South Africa had been on alert level 4 from 1 to 31 May 2020; then alert level 3 from 1 June to 17 August 2020, which had been eased to alert level 2 from 00h01 on 18 August 2020; and alert level 1 from 21 September to 28 December 2020. In an attempt to circumvent a second wave, South Africa had been placed on an adjusted alert level 3 from 29 December 2020. Restrictions pertaining physical exercise were adjusted along with the primary objective of the various risk-adjusted levels.
In October 2019 both my wife (Martie) and I became neighbourhood patrollers. The chairperson of neighbourhood blockwatch had convinced me about the importance of visibility with regard to crime control. In addition to parkrunning and walking respectively on a Saturdays, and either myrunning and walking respectively on a Sundays, or occasional trails or road races in my case; we frequently walked. I used to do night-races at least once, if not twice a week; and on other afternoons walked with Martie. We would dress in our high visibility (hi-vis) vests and caps, and walk various routes through the suburb’s blockwatch area. All of this came to an erupt end on 26 March 2020.
Under alert level 2, some normality returned, in that some organised individually staggered start and timed trails, night-runs and myruns recommenced. We pursued those and continue alternating our regular patrol-walks together, or me patrol-running. Since 29 December 2020, when adjusted alert level 3 came into effect, we only alternate between me patrol-running and us patrol-walking. We are hesitant with regard to staggered start events.
At this stage I treasure getting dressed and ready, announce going on patrol on WhatsApp, go to the gate, start running watch and start walking/running, checking the time it took to complete 5km—for capturing (not) parkrun, continue with walk/run, return home, announce completion of patrol, rehydrate and shower. Zero travelling by car.
We adjust our run/walk time to circumstances. During winter we went early afternoon. During summer, when high temperatures are predicted we get up early and get it done prior to the heat. When it is likely to rain, we pick a time slot least likely and we revert to in-door exercise when it actually storms, such as on the elliptical.
Whereas prior to COVID-19 I’ve been hesitant to run around in the suburbs, I am now quite comfortable. I’ve had a few minor encounters with dogs, which caused me to get a pocket Taser. We further do walk with pepper spray. I keep my cellphone in a belly pouch in order to reduce its visibility. We became quite familiar with the streets in our neighbourhood blockwatch area.
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