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A number of activists are demanding answers from the commission on Gender Equality.

They said this was despite the commission’s adopted official standing position in support of the decriminalisation of sex work in 2013, including a statement it released in March reiterating its support for the decriminalisation of sex work.

Asijiki national co-ordinator Constance Mathe, said they were concerned about this recently established committee of unidentified members which she said was formulated behind closed doors, and aimed at revisiting the commission’s position on issues such as sex work, termination of pregnancy and the rights of persons who do not identify as heterosexual and/or cisgender.

The Commission for Gender Equality has welcomed the ongoing talks on the possible decriminalisation of sex work in South Africa. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has been holding consultative meetings on the matter.

The Commission’s spokesperson Javu Baloyi says, “We are saying let’s decriminalise this thing so these people can operate freely in the interim. Some of them are coerced into sex work. Now we will be able to assist them so they can access health services. We can also help rehabilitate some of them who were forced. When it is a choice, then there is a perception that is there, so we wanted to protect their rights.”

Lydia, 44, said they are well-informed about the coronavirus and they all carry sanitisers to clean their hands and bodies.

"Before servicing a client, I undress and apply sanitisers on my thighs, and torso. We are dealing with different people every session and we need to protect ourselves from Covid-19," said Lydia.

However, she said clients didn't want to provide contact details for contact tracing - in case they test positive.

Lydia hails from Welkom in the Free State and has been working as a sex worker for the past 15 years.