Concentrations of air pollutants over South Africa had decreased during the national lockdown (imposed to try and counter the Covid-19 pandemic), preliminary analysis of satellite data indicated. The study was focused on nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The research was being carried out by researchers from South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the UK’s University of Leicester. It was aimed at understanding the effects of the lockdown on air pollution in South Africa.