Day R2: So-Called Freedom Day

June 1, 2022

June 1 marked the official end of the lockdown as the gates were supposed to open at midnight

A small crowd gathered to watch the countdown but nothing happened at midnight. Talk about an anti-climax. No fireworks or lifting up the gate arm. The only thing of interest was a private car that bolted out of the compound at 12:01am, the first one out in over two months.

Based on the official news they said all roadblocks would be removed between district borders. Today's bike ride was going to confirm or deny that. These roadblocks were all over the place as seen on previous rides, sometimes they would simply string a bunch of shared bikes together across a bridge.E

Based on this map, two entire districts were still colored in as 'controlled' and 'lockdown' areas using the old classification. Today's bike ride would assess if all that was true or not.

The bridge I was on earlier that was blocked. The barriers were indeed removed.

Much needed haircut business outside. The back gate to our compound was still locked and would remain for months.

Street covid testing was going to be the new normal now, no longer compound testing.

The photo evidence was more than enough. All the roadblocks were indeed removed and even some small businesses were starting to get going again. It certainly wasn't easy for them. While on a walk later that light with Sophia, we found a major argument with the police and a small business owner who tried to open the shop earlier and was denied access to her own business.

Things were not exactly going to change overnight.

Today's ride: 17 km (11 miles)
Total: 244 km (152 miles)

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Kathleen JonesWhat an experience. So glad you documented it. Good luck going forward.
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