S.Africans urged to look out for signs of lockdown burnout as pandemic continues Medical experts have said living under sustained COVID-19 pandemic conditions, coupled with the demands from everyday life, can lead to chronic stress and eventually, burnout. The COVID-19 pandemic not only unleashed fear and anxiety around contracting the virus itself, but it’s also added more pressure on daily life.Picture: Pixabay.com CAPE TOWN – Psychologists have urged South Africans to guard against “lockdown burnout” and “pandemic fatigue”. Medical experts have said living under sustained COVID-19 pandemic conditions, coupled with the demands from everyday life, can lead to chronic stress and eventually, burnout.