A cyclist was arrested on Friday morning for defying the 21-day national lockdown which came into effect at midnight on Thursday.

In terms of the lockdown, people may only leave their homes to undertake essential trips: to get food, seek medical care or access supplies.

Outdoor workouts do not fall under the list of essential movements.

The City of Johannesburg on Friday morning tweeted pictures of the man being arrested, after which he and his bicycle were placed in the back of a police van.

According to the tweet, the man was cycling on the highway.

In the early hours of Friday morning, several other people were also arrested for allegedly disregarding South Africa’s lockdown rules.

SABC News reported that the South African Police