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The city centre, however, was anything but bustling, and traffic was also not congested. Most people lined up outside ATMs and banks as social grants were disbursed.
While there was no congestion on the usually bumper-to-bumper roads in the city centre, many more cars appeared to be on the roads than under the strict Level 5 restrictions, as certain businesses, such as clothing stores, were allowed to reopen.
Public transport users travelled to the CBD by bus or taxi as the station concourse remained shut.
Trains – a core component of public transport in Cape Town – are expected to gradually start operating under Level 3 restrictions.
Informal traders were delighted by the feet returning to the city, saying they now had more customers to buy their goods.
Clothing stores, allowed to sell winter stock, appeared empty, with almost none of them having queues outside their doors.
The historic Trafalgar Place, the trading area for the colourful Adderley Street flower sellers, was deserted.
St George’s Mall, usually teeming with pedestrians and tourists, was also practically empty.
See more below:
Cape Town’s usually congested roads near the elevated freeway this morning, the first working day after Level 4 of the lockdown was implemented on Friday, a public holiday. The N2 into the city seemingly busier than it had been in recent weeks. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/FH6L0xvP1O
— Tammy Petersen (@TammyPetersen87) May 4, 2020
A woman admires a pair of shoes through the window of a Cape Town store which has not yet reopened. Ackermans in Adderley Street is one of a very few clothing shops to draw a crowd. Most queues snake around ATMs and banks as social grants are also being disbursed. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/kboNcRyXoB
— Tammy Petersen (@TammyPetersen87) May 4, 2020
St George’s Mall in the city bowl is usually teeming with pedestrians, tourists and traders selling curios and artwork. The only attraction today appears to be a nearby ATM. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/fl4IGR47J6
— Tammy Petersen (@TammyPetersen87) May 4, 2020
The colour is gone from Trafalgar Place, from where the famous Cape Town flower sellers sold their bunches on Adderley Street. They stopped trading at the start of the lockdown. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/dbz5RHBIHj
— Tammy Petersen (@TammyPetersen87) May 4, 2020
The usually bustling Golden Acre. Two queues now – one for Shoprite, another for clothing stores. Shoppers in the city for the first time since the lockdown bewildered by how relatively quiet the city bowl is. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/uTRsYHUaYz
— Tammy Petersen (@TammyPetersen87) May 4, 2020
Taxi commuters on their way to work in the Cape Town CBD. A fruit and veg trader near the taxi rank says today is a lot busier than last week. And sales are, of course, up too. @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/z3Nijmm6m1
— Tammy Petersen (@TammyPetersen87) May 4, 2020
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