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An empty garage with no vehicles or staff during lockdown in South Africa. EPA
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A traveller is tested at the Grasmere Toll Plaza in Lenasia, South Africa. Reuters
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City of Tshwane's Special Infection Unit paramedics and a doctor load a man showing symptoms of Covid-19 into an isolation chamber in the north of Pretoria, South Africa. AFP
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A normally busy interchange on the M2 east highway is seen devoid of vehicles during national lockdown in South Africa. EPA
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A volunteer sprays disinfectant during a deep cleaning operation inside the Villa Liza Clinic, in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. AFP
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A woman wearing a mask crosses a waterlogged street after rainfall in Thokoza, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
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Empty buildings during lockdown in Sandton, South Africa. EPA
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A City of Tshwane's Special Infection Unit paramedic closes the door of an ambulance in the north of Pretoria, South Africa. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BHG7VFRDGJ56X4KY2FS5J2TPVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6deeb6162f41fe57796e7f5400aa3d044e80d9c9aeed70b6a42d39dde6b9f04&width=400&height=225)
A health worker wears protective clothing as she prepares to test travellers at the Grasmere Toll Plaza, in Lenasia, South Africa. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IR3SU3VA2UCT4PMTB7Q4GRVRXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8392dae383ff987ffbd8f69f02f02dd292bd415d13859556eaddf7ae83860d13&width=400&height=225)
An empty garage with no vehicles or staff during lockdown in South Africa. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HLFIX2I76TNWT7EXAQAIH7C54Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=2442f34ec904a2bcab7b61b332769d93b4edd376c8c7894d393a466ff306775f&width=400&height=225)
A traveller is tested at the Grasmere Toll Plaza in Lenasia, South Africa. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ODVJLXBI7ERGAGISTNLB5GM4YM.jpg?smart=true&auth=9fd2029bb973e70f46bd954439f1dddafefba83d540ec97c6f339e5cd3861ec5&width=400&height=225)
City of Tshwane's Special Infection Unit paramedics and a doctor load a man showing symptoms of Covid-19 into an isolation chamber in the north of Pretoria, South Africa. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XUS7OQNCN7MN5MHTVYQAN2YQLE.jpg?smart=true&auth=46fba815f738b73b07edd6cd6bd8bd303e5ce359aadfea5ae04a7bc59540ca4d&width=400&height=225)
A normally busy interchange on the M2 east highway is seen devoid of vehicles during national lockdown in South Africa. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VWIJ2TH32WMSJTZF4IVLYZDOXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=a23fc2bae5de599105fd3b126ac33c3047d546406fa691d13136f057d9a20a5e&width=400&height=225)
A volunteer sprays disinfectant during a deep cleaning operation inside the Villa Liza Clinic, in Ekurhuleni, South Africa. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/EUASANDCCVPO6DJHRMEY3V4TRE.jpg?smart=true&auth=75e6fcf3a152ef43f1b7aa5b9a94874d407136db08b90564def44e51dd3b5425&width=400&height=225)
A woman wearing a mask crosses a waterlogged street after rainfall in Thokoza, east of Johannesburg, South Africa. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/53K2JC3CC2QLEBAAII724MOO7Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=d7b0e23d76569aebbb79f981204c5df702e270ca2142f1bc04bcaceeca69eec1&width=400&height=225)
Empty buildings during lockdown in Sandton, South Africa. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6B5INEUH5FNIDA6PIPEZVGBS3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a9888e4cb0cfc31121dd0a129fac5c085f2108ddf64c640c61aeb495567af96&width=400&height=225)
A City of Tshwane's Special Infection Unit paramedic closes the door of an ambulance in the north of Pretoria, South Africa. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/BHG7VFRDGJ56X4KY2FS5J2TPVI.jpg?smart=true&auth=f6deeb6162f41fe57796e7f5400aa3d044e80d9c9aeed70b6a42d39dde6b9f04&width=400&height=225)
A health worker wears protective clothing as she prepares to test travellers at the Grasmere Toll Plaza, in Lenasia, South Africa. Reuters
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IR3SU3VA2UCT4PMTB7Q4GRVRXE.jpg?smart=true&auth=8392dae383ff987ffbd8f69f02f02dd292bd415d13859556eaddf7ae83860d13&width=400&height=225)
An empty garage with no vehicles or staff during lockdown in South Africa. EPA
Experts fear South African virus strain is resistant to human antibodies
Scientists have ‘a problem’ as study finds Covid-19 variation can overcome previous immunity
Brodie Owen
20 January, 2021
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