Fisher, Deborah A.Miller, Ted R.Grube, Joel W.Ringwalt, Christopher L.Achoki, Tom NyandegaNgwato, Tara PolzerShilakoe, LebogangMkhondo, Penelope2023-12-052023-12-052024-12Fisher, D.A., Miller, T.R., Grube, J.W. et al. Locked Down: Economic and Health Effects of COVID-19 Response on Residents of a South African Township. Global Social Welfare 11, 293–305 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40609-022-00230-1.2196-8799 (online)10.1007/s40609-022-00230-1http://hdl.handle.net/2263/93741AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS : The survey instrument and de-identified dataset are available through the GSDG Data Library upon application at https://www.gsdgdatalibrary.org/. Additionally, a table listing the survey items and responses appears in Appendix A.BACKGROUND : Little research has examined how pandemics affect residents in under-resourced communities. This study investigated how COVID-19 and lockdown policies affected residents of Alexandra, one of Johannesburg, South Africa’s lowest-income townships. METHODS : We conducted a telephone survey May 11–22, 2020, while the lockdown and alcohol ban were in effect, of a spatially stratified sample of 353 adult Alexandra residents drawn randomly from voter registration, credit card application, and prior studies’ sampling frames. We examined economic consequences; health experiences, including COVID-19 exposure and mental health symptoms; alcohol use; and personal experiences with violence. RESULTS : Respondents were aged 18 to 89 and 47% female. About 70% of those employed before the lockdown were no longer working. Over half of households lost at least one source of income. About 50% of respondents reported stockpiling food. A majority reported price rises and declines in availability of food. Smaller percentages reported such changes for other items. Over 80% reported stress or anxiety, or depression due to the pandemic. The prevalence of past-week alcohol use fell from over 50% before the lockdown to less than 10% during the lockdown. Self-reported physical violence victimization increased. DISCUSSION : COVID-19 and the lockdown disrupted Alexandra residents’ lives through unemployment, lost income, mental health problems, and increased violence. The differences between these outcomes and those in more advantaged communities deserve investigation. Research should also seek to identify tailored responses to effectively address the challenges of marginalized communities that often have limited resources to deal with pandemics and policies to contain them.en© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2022. The original publication is available at : http://link.springer.com/journal/40609.COVID-19 pandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PandemicSouth Africa (SA)SDG-03: Good health and well-beingPostprint Article