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Coronavirus

Media Release: Department of Employment and Labour pays out Covid-19 benefits to workers

20 April 2020

 The Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi has called on employers who are registered with the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) to apply for the Covid-19 benefits through theTemporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme on behalf of their employees.

As part of its response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department has issued a directive for relief to be provided to contributors who have lost income or required to take annual leave as a result of the Coronavirus breakout.

To date, the UIF has received just over 55 268 applications from employers representing about 1 601 767 employees. In total, the UIF has over 1 800 000 employers registered on its database representing more than 8-million workers.

Of the received applications, the UIF has processed 37 673 employer applications which means that 606 462 employees will receive their benefit.  About 9 938 applications couldn’t be processed due to errors and the affected companies have been notified to correct their applications and resubmit. Some of the errors identified relate to incorrect banking details, making it impossible for payments to be processed.

As of today, the cumulative amount paid from April 16 to date is R1.1-billion.

“The UIF is working round the clock to meet the extraordinary volumes of requests for assistance presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Covid-19 benefit scheme will provide much needed relief to employees who have been laid off work or unable to earn an income due to Covid-19,” said Minister Nxesi.

Minister Nxesi has also acknowledged that the UIF system is under pressure as the Fund is currently experiencing extraordinary volumes of requests due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Minister says the department is in discussion with other public entities and the private sector to build additional capacity in order to fast track the processing of applications and payments thereof.

“We have acknowledged that our system was not designed to accommodate the increased volumes of requests that we are witnessing due to the Covid-19. We have already taken steps to mitigate this risk. We have asked the South African Revenue Service to work with us to resolve the backlog we are currently experiencing. SARS has responded positively and they are sending a team to work with the UIF to ensure that we distribute funds to deserving beneficiaries as swift and cost-efficient as possible. We have equally engaged other private sector companies to work with UIF to enhance the capacity of our IT system to respond to the growing number of requests,” said Minister Nxesi.

Besides the COVID-19 TERS benefits, the department continues to pay normal benefits. To this end, people who have already been approved to claim do not need to phone or go online. The continuation benefits will be paid at specified dates.

As part of being more responsive to claimants, the UIF call center which initially had 75 agents, has increased its capacity and now has 200 agents manning the toll-free number (0800 030 007). More call center agents will be added should the need arise.

“These are important interventions that would go a long way towards alleviating some of the challenges we have been experiencing. The President has enjoined all of us to ensure that citizens are not unnecessarily inconvenienced as a result of the pandemic. As the Department of Employment and Labour we realise the critical role we have to play and we are encouraged by the spirit of solidarity both in the public and private sector and we are doing our utmost best to ease the hardship on workers,” concluded Minister Nxesi.

Employers can apply via www.ufiling.co.za or contact the UIF on 0800 030 007.

Department of Employment and Labour – Working for you!

For more information contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

 

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde- we need a common resolve to flatten the curve

21 April 2020

As of 17h00 on 20 April, the Western Cape has recorded 974 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 974
Total recoveries 221
Total deaths 17
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 736
Patients in hospital 39 of which are 17 in ICU
Total tests conducted 18931

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases
Western 252
Southern 161
Northern 42
Tygerberg 87
Eastern 82
Klipfontein 61
Mitchells Plain 60
Khayelitsha 59
Total 804

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District  Sub-district Cases
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 14
Garden Route George 14
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 19
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 3
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 14
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 8
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 15
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 27
Overberg Overstrand 11
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 3
West Coast Matzikama 1
West Coast Swartland 4
     

Unallocated: 25

Data notes:

*Going forward, the data will be reported as at 17h00 on the previous day, rather than at midnight in order to allow more time to prepare the daily reports.

A total of 81 629 community screenings have been completed, with 3818 community tests done.

Speaking notes from the scenario planning

As you can see, I have been wearing my cloth mask. I am going to take it off now so that you can all hear me clearly, but this is something we are encouraging every single resident to use when they go out in public.

Make sure that you always follow the 5 golden rules of hygiene when doing so, and that you do not touch your face when wearing it. You can find out how to make your own by going to our website.

I would like to welcome you to our scenario planning and health system response press briefing.

There are many people who are not journalists watching via our Facebook live as well. Thank you for joining us today.

I have received many questions on how our health department is responding to Covid-19, and how we are preparing, given potential scenarios.

We are going to share this information with you today, because we believe the public needs to stay well-informed, and because every single one of us have an important role to play in this response. We are in this together.

Here is our promise – we are giving you the best available data we have to hand right now, and we will continue to update you. We are doing this because the fight against COVID-19 is all of our fight – We need everybody to play their part to ensure that our health services are not overwhelmed, and that we are able to save lives.

I also know that trust is earned. We will continue to earn your trust by being transparent in what is a quickly changing, unprecedented pandemic.

I am joined today by experts to help answer these questions. We need to listen to our experts and take their guidance as we make decisions during this very challenging time.

Dr Cloete is the Head of the Western Cape Department of Health.

Professor Andrew Boulle is from the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research based at the UCT School of Public Health and Family Medicine.

We are lucky to have so many smart, hard-working people in South Africa working on our COVID-19 response. I was so impressed by Professor Abdool Kariem last week, who took South Africa into his confidence by sharing data and information with us.

We have been guided by his research, and we thank him and the National Department of Health for this support.

As mentioned, we are preparing our health response based on the very best evidence available to us about what we have seen abroad, what we have seen in South Africa and the Western Cape to date, and following engagements with the National Dept of Health, and the Presidency.

It is also based on the work of our own academic hospitals, health professionals and researchers who have painted a clinical picture of the likely scenario in the Western Cape.

We must highlight an important point. This is a changing scenario as new information and studies emerge in this global pandemic – we are adapting as quickly as we can and are working 24/7 on updating our response.

Our response also changes day-to-day, based on people’s behaviour – when each of you make the correct choices, it makes the outcome look better for all of us – this effect is immediate.

Every one of us has a role to play in our health response.

There is another point I need to stress, and which Professor Abdool Kariem also highlighted. Lock down has served to delay the peak in COVID-19 cases, it cannot prevent it.

This has allowed us time to build the system that we are showing you – but a difficult time lies ahead for all of us.

Lifting the lockdown, in whatever form it takes, will not make this problem go away and we cannot just go back to normal.

We need to adapt to a “new normal” in the way we behave, so that we can continue to “flatten the curve” and save lives.

As the Western Cape Government have done our best to use this lockdown period to prepare our capability for a major increase in COVID-19 cases, which we expect to still come.

Our own research, backed up by Google’s mobility reports, show that Western Cape residents have by-and-large, come to the party by obeying the lockdown and staying at home. Thank you to every person who has helped us, and helped their fellow citizens.

We need to ALL do even more going forward if we are to reduce that peak of infections, and prevent our health system becoming overwhelmed.

How high that peak is depends on you, and it depends on me.

As you will hear from the experts, we have been preparing for worst case scenarios, so that we are as prepared as possible.

But while we may be preparing for a bad scenario, I want you to know that you have a role to make it better. What you and your family does matters so much right now. We need your help.

Our scenario planning reveals the following:

  • We expect about 80 000 people to be infected and symptomatic at the peak, and more than 90% of these to recover at home.
  • We anticipate a shortfall of 1000 beds in acute and 750 beds in critical care facilities. We anticipate the 750 critical bed shortfall even in the best case scenario and with the private sector included. We’re planning field hospitals to account for those need for acute beds, but we will have a shortfall in critical care beds, which is driven by a shortage in critical care nurses.

These are our current numbers.

It’s going to be tough – but we have a good idea of what the peak is going to be, and we are preparing to be able to respond. We are going to give it everything we have.

I have teams working around the clock to prepare – which our presentation today will show.

At the frontline of our war with COVID-19 are our healthcare workers. I want to take this opportunity to issue a heartfelt and sincere thank you for what you are doing to save lives. You are our heroes and we are proud to have you on our team.

Our healthcare workers need to be protected from COVID-19 so that they are fit and well when we are going to need them most. Of all healthcare workers in the province,47 in both the public and private sector have become infected to date, and as we have seen in other countries, it is inevitable that this number rises.

Healthcare workers will be prioritised to receive the flu vaccine.

Another top priority is making sure we have PPE for these workers as a key response.

We currently have R44 million worth of PPE stock on hand and R185 millon on back order, which we hope to receive in plenty of time before our current stock runs out.

Our community health workers will all receive aprons and cloth masks for their work in the field when dealing with non-COVID cases, and they will receive surgical masks for when they are working with COVID cases.

We are also working with companies to upscale local production – giving business to South African entrepreneurs.

Innovators are coming to the fore.

We will continue with our recruitment drive for healthcare volunteers and are heartened that over 1000 people have responded to our call already. Thank you! These volunteers will be called up when the need arises.

Another critical step in our fight against this virus is pre-emptive screening and testing, and isolation and quarantine for residents who test positive.

We have public sector capacity to do 2000 tests per day, going up to 3000 at the end of the month using gene expert tests.

I know we are worried about ourselves, our families and our future. We need a common resolve as a province and country so that we can flatten the curve. We have achieved so much as a nation – I know we can do it again.

I am worried about stigma associated with Covid-19. We need to show kindness and compassion to those who are ill. This kindness and compassion is seen across our country’s cultures and religions. Let’s show how we are a caring country.

There will be people who need to isolate at a facility because they are not able to stay at home. We should welcome them back warmly when they have recovered. Small acts of kindness and love make all the difference during difficult times.

Finally, in our commitment to transparency, we are making our case data live on westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

A dedicated dashboard should be live from the end of the week. This will help keep you informed at all times.

This is not a once-off exercise. It is a journey we are taking together. I promise to keep you updated every step of the way.

21 April 2020 Businesses urged to put measures in place to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus

The Western Cape Government issued a circular (H51/2020) to guide various businesses and organisations with regard to measures that they need to put in place to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid 19). The circular is specifically aimed at the transport, retail, petrol stations, banking, the post office and essential services sectors. The Garden Route District Command Council suggests that while the peak period of essential business activities approaches, businesses in the Garden Route should adhere to the guidelines provided to them in the circular.

RETAIL, BANKING AND POST OFFICES

The retail, banking and post office environments are advised to not allow their establishments to be overcrowded. A limited number of people to enter the building should be allowed. Together with this, the method to manage queues outside an establishment to ensure social distancing must also be put in place, for example marker lines that serve as an indication to consumers on where to wait. Furthermore products should be spread out in aisles to prevent people shopping too close to one another. Each staff member should be reminded to avoid touching his/her eyes, nose and mouth, particularly when hands are not clean – regular hand washing is advised. Customers on the other hand should be offered alcohol-based hand sanitisers before entering the establishment – employees should spray the sanitiser to manage the usage thereof. When customers leave a paypoint area the counter top and credit card machine must be wiped before the next customer is assisted. To close off all business activities of the day, each counter and the entire business area should be thoroughly disinfected.

Pay point areas and counter tops should be wiped before the next customer is assisted. Photo: Pexels

FUEL STATIONS

In the fuel franchising sector, staff should encourage customers to remain in their vehicles, unless they have to go to the shop. Attendants have to keep a 1,5 meter distance from the window of the vehicle unless they are offering a card machine to the customer or have to collect money. Before payments are made, attendants are encouraged to offer the customer alcohol-based hand sanitiser to clean their hands. Subsequently machines should be cleaned after the customer has left. All machines, pumps and surrounding equipment have to be cleaned with a disinfectant. Petrol attendants must avoid touching doors, windows and door handles of vehicles.

TAXI INDUSTRY

Drivers or owners in the taxi industry also have a big responsibility to ensure that personnel are aware of proper hygiene practices. Drivers/personnel are encouraged to clean buses and taxi ranks with soap and water to close off business operations of the day.

By doing so, surfaces at the bus depot and taxi ranks should be cleaned each hour while the area is in use. Passengers must keep a minimum social distance of 1,5 meters – markers are also regarded as an effective method to give guidance. When handling doors, no customers should be allowed to touch door handles of minibuses or buses. Drivers have to open doors for customers on their arrival. Doors should furthermore be left open while the vehicle fills to its limit. Again, alcohol-based hand sanitisers have to be offered to customers before they enter the bus or mini-taxi. After receiving money from customers, all drivers have to clean their hands with the sanitiser. Social distancing, even inside the bus/minibus should be practiced; meaning enough space should be allowed between passengers. Windows should be kept open to allow droplets to escape through the windows, when a passenger coughs or sneezes. After each trip, all surfaces touched by passengers have to be cleaned. These include: door handles, window ledges and seats. Furthermore, the inside and outside of the vehicle should be thoroughly cleaned twice per day. This can also be done with an alcohol-based sanitiser.

METERED TAXI AND E-HAILING TRANSPORT

In the metered taxi and e-hailing transport environment (Uber, Bolt, etc.) drivers are encouraged to transport one to three passengers per trip, depending on the size of the vehicle. All doors should be handled by drivers. As in other industries, hand sanitisers should also be offered to passengers and when money is exchanged,

drivers are advised to clean their hands immediately thereafter with alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Credit card machines should be wiped each time before use. Windows should be kept open throughout the trips for dirty air to escape, particularly when passengers cough or sneeze.

Customers should be offered hand sanitisers before they are assisted. Photo: Pexels

After each trip door handles and window ledges have to be cleaned and the inside of the vehicle should be disinfected twice per day.

Some general hygiene practices everyone should remember, include:

  • coughing into the elbow, keep hands clean by washing both hands with soap or cleaning it with alcohol-based hand sanitiser is still widely advised;
  • keep a minimum of 1,5m social distancing from others and avoid crowded areas or gatherings.

To ensure that we contribute to eliminate the spread of the virus to others, it is the duty and responsibility of everyone to take ownership of their health and to protect the health of others. If we respect all the guidelines of the World Health Organisation and National Institute of Communicable Diseases, obey all the rules and regulations of the South African Government, provincial governments and municipalities then soon we will be able to do business as usual again.

Stay home, stay safe.

Media Alert: Premier Winde to brief the media on the Western Cape Government’s COVID-19 scenario planning and response

21 April

Today, Premier Alan Winde, together with Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo and Western Cape Department of Health experts will brief the media on the province’s scenario planning and response preparedness for the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Professor Andrew Boulle, from the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research based at the UCT School of Public Health and Family Medicine, and Dr Keith Cloete, Head of the Western Cape Government Department of Health, will lead the scenario planning presentation.

The briefing will also include an opportunity for questions.

The press briefing will be held online, live on Premier Alan Winde’s Facebook page.

Members of the media wishing to ask questions will be required to send them to a Whatsapp group which will be created specifically for this purpose. To be added to the group, you must RSVP and send your number to Bianca Capazorio before noon.

NB: Those who were added to the group before, need not resubmit their numbers.

Facebook Live details:

The briefing will begin at 3pm and will be online at at https://www.facebook.com/windealan/

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

20 April 2020

As of 17h00 on 19 April, the Western Cape has recorded 905 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 905
Total recoveries 215
Total deaths 17
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 673
Patients in hospital 37 of which 17 are in ICU
Total tests conducted 17 307

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases
Western 241
Southern 158
Northern 38
Tygerberg 79
Eastern 72
Klipfontein 57
Mitchells Plain 57
Khayelitsha 53
Total 755

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District  Sub-district Cases
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 14
Garden Route George 14
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 19
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 3
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 13
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 7
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 15
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 24
Overberg Overstrand 11
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 3
West Coast Matzikama 1
West Coast Swartland 4
     

Unallocated: 10

Data notes:

*Going forward, the data will be reported as at 17h00 on the previous day, rather than at midnight in order to allow more time to prepare the daily reports.

The Western Cape has recorded one additional death- a 48 year old male, bringing the total number of deaths due to COVID-19 in the province to 17.

We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time.

Message from the Minister of Health, Nomafrench Mbombo:

“Together we can fight the spread of COVID-19 simply by STAYING AT HOME when possible. When you don’t stay at home you expose yourself to contracting the virus. Be a hero- stay at home and protect the most vulnerable community members.”

Humanitarian and social relief:

The nationwide lockdown has put economic pressure on households and families across the country. With many not able to work and earn a salary right now, the need for humanitarian and food relief is urgent.

Over the weekend, I was part of the President’s Coordinating Council where the need for food relief was discussed as a matter of deep concern.

We welcome President Ramaphosa’s commitment in his newsletter today that national government will scale up welfare provision to help households living below the poverty line.

In the Western Cape, we are currently using the data that we have available to us to map where the greatest need exists, and to ensure that relief efforts from all spheres of government and the NGO and private sector do not overlap.

As part of these mapping efforts, we have determined that municipalities in the Western Cape have so far spent R 7 million on feeding schemes and food parcels during the lockdown. Many municipalities are however unable to afford this in the long run. The Western Cape Government is currently working on proposals in order to further support feeding schemes at a municipal level.

The Western Cape Government has started the roll-out of the 50 000 food parcels which we have undertaken to fund and distribute. We continue to receive thousands of requests daily for food relief. We have doubled our call centre capacity in order to deal with the increased call volumes, however we understand that there is still a backlog and we are working 24/7 to ensure we onboard additional trained call centre agents.

Members of the public should please carefully read the qualifying criteria and details around the vetting process before filling in the form. Our food relief parcels are intended for those most in need, they are limited in number, and they will only be dispensed once a social worker has approved the application.

The qualifying criteria for relief are:

  • Households affected by COVID-19 infections in the following instances:

–   A member/s of the family tested positive for the virus and they are in quarantine in their homes.

–   A household where a member of the family tested positive for the virus and where they have insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period.

  • A person who is on medication or who suffers from a chronic illness and has insufficient means to sustain themselves and was assessed and referred by a local clinic or registered health practitioner.
  • A person and their household who have insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period who was referred by a registered humanitarian relief agency, registered NPO or a municipal manager, and assessed by DSD. In this instance, persons not yet in receipt of SASSA grants, including the elderly, child headed houses, grant awaiting beneficiaries will be prioritised.

Emergency feeding has continued at schools in the province. These meals have allowed us to meet some of the nutritional needs of thousands of our youngest citizens at a time when they are most in need of it.

I would like to extend my thanks to the teachers and volunteers who are helping the Western Cape Government to feed our vulnerable residents, as well as to the many NGOs, businesses and individuals who are responding to the needs of our communities right now with donations, meals and food parcels. Your kindness and selflessness at this time are valued.

20 April 2020 Emergency Food Relief provided to vulnerable residents of the Garden Route

Press Release

For Immediate Release

20 April 2020

The Department of Social Development (DSD) and Municipalities in the Garden Route recently started with the distribution of food parcels to the most vulnerable households affected by Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic.

Social Relief of Distress (SDR) program of DSD

Ms Marie Hendricks, regional director of the DSD for the Garden Route and the Karoo explains as follow: “Prior to the distribution of parcels a thorough process to assess all applications for food relief from the various communities takes place and will continue, until approved beneficiaries are reached.  Potential beneficiaries either apply through their respective local municipalities, NPO’s or through contacting the Western Cape Government call centre. Should applicants struggle to reach the call centre, they can also, as alternative, contact the DSD Local Offices in the District”.

Food parcels ready for distribution in the Bitou area.  Photo & feature photo: Bitou Municipality

As at 17 April 2020, DSD has received 4503 applications for the Garden Route district alone, of which 2153 were assessed by social workers as a normal social work social relief of distress practice. This process takes place in relation to determining the socio-economic situation/status of every applicant, directly or indirectly affected. Social workers employed by DSD assess the information supplied by applicants telephonically, against the set criteria, provided below. A total of 1108 applications assessed were approved of which 615 deliveries took place across the towns in the District. Applications, thus far, were received from within the following municipal areas George, Knysna, Bitou, Mossel Bay, Hessequa, Oudtshoorn and Kannaland. This DSD process continues on a daily basis and progress is monitored and reported on a daily basis to the District command centre . All other partners contributing to food relief coordinated by DSD also meet as a separate cluster under the District command centre .

The criteria for applicants to apply for emergency food relief. Image: DSD

As there are various role players making a contribution to food relief in the District the DSD is also currently busy with a mapping exercise to show the food relief footprint in each municipal area, so as to place all role-players in a position to see where, how and by whom food relief is provided. In addition, how the various communities and how these different services can be accessed by community members are dependent on their needs.  It is also measured against a particular criteria used by each food relief role-player. It is further important that residents who need food aid during this time knows where to go to get relief and as such a fair process of benefit to those who need it most, is being maintained whether directly or indirectly affected by the COVID 19 disaster.

DSD also provide general social work services to families in distress. Their offices can be contacted on a daily basis where social workers are available to telephonically assist in response to the emotional/social wellbeing needs of families.

DSD office numbers in the Garden Route District:

  • Eden Karoo Regional Office – 044 814 1687
  • George  – 044 814 1920
  • Knysna – 044 382 0056
  • Mossel Bay – 044 690 3943
  • Hessequa  – 028 713 4147
  • Kannaland – 028 814 3020
  • Oudthoorn – 044 272 8977

Donations from Municipalities

In a quest to also address the shortages of food various local municipalities intervened to provide emergency food relief to the vulnerable. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) set the example and donated half a million rand to distribute approximately 800 food parcels to local municipalities in the district on 9 April 2020.

Employees from Mossel Bay Municipality prepare food parcels for their Mossel Bay residents.  Photo: Mossel Bay Municipality

Bitou Municipality so far distributed 3500 food parcels to the value of R1 050 000 to their vulnerable residents, with Hessequa Municipality who made R1 million available to provide food relief to their residents. Mossel Bay Municipality also reached out to the vulnerable in the area and provided meals to more than 1000 households to the value of R500 000. Although George Municipality also donated food parcels, the municipality predominantly utilises soup kitchens in the area to feed their residents. The number of meals served at these soup kitchens currently stands at 17 000 – two meals per person per day. Knysna Municipality also distributed nearly food parcels to nearly 150 households in its area, however the municipality works closely with the private sector businesses to assist with their food relief initiative, as per a press release issued on April 15. Oudtshoorn Municipality also made funds available for its food relief programme, but the process is still in progress and is done in collaboration with DSD and SASSA to finalise the assessment of all applications received. As soon as the process is completed, the distribution will take place in the Oudtshoorn areas. Kannaland Municipality, at this stage could not make any financial commitment to distribute food parcels, however it does provide meals to vulnerable residents through its soup kitchens and is continuously in discussion with the private sector businesses to assist with donations. The municipality is thankful towards GRDM for the food parcels donated to vulnerable residents of its area of jurisdiction.

Donations from the Public

Last week the the GRDM command centre called upon members of the public to make donations of essential items as a means to further fill the time gap of the SRD Programme of DSD.  This process was rolled out in collaboration with the local municipalities in the Garden Route. All donations received are distributed according to the criteria set by DSD and some are distributed to the soup kitchens that are in operation in the respective municipal areas. Items that are donated include: food items, cleaning and hygiene products. Clothing for men, women and children at home shelters are also needed.

While there is much uncertainty of how long the lockdown will stay in effect, more donations are required to assist with the needs of the vulnerable in the district. Individuals or business are requested to contact their Local Municipalities or DSD to make arrangement for donations.

DSD and partners would like to thank the public for their generosity! Every donation counts and support helps to further alleviate the dire conditions that so many community members have to endure every day. Support is invaluable to DSD, and the public is thanked for their ongoing support.

COVID-19: Western Cape Provincial Update 3

16 April 2020

Basic service delivery is continuing uninterrupted in all municipalities in the Western Cape.

In addition all municipalities are in various stages of implementing and coordinating feeding schemes with multiple stakeholders and partners to ensure vulnerable communities needs are met.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell says the task of improving basic water supply in high density informal settlements has already largely been completed.

“Water tanks, as provided by the Department of Water Affairs, in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements, have been delivered across the province. In addition, feeding of vulnerable school learners has commenced with the support of local municipalities.”

Bredell says local municipalities in the province have launched a feeding/food donation scheme to assist those most vulnerable in their communities, especially those families not covered by any existing government grants.

“There is some ongoing concern about our municipalities cashflow and revenue at a time when residential and business clients are struggling to settle their full municipal accounts. We will be taking this matter up with national government to see what can be done to support our councils.”

Some of the work being done in municipalities across the province:

  • On the West Coast, a rural gravel road between Aurora and Redelinghuys, critical to emergency services was severely damaged. The West Coast District Municipality responding to a request from the SA Police Services, deployed its roads department and the road has been repaired during the past week. Rural roads are critical to ensure accessibility to rural areas. These are often gravel roads linking rural areas with bigger towns where essential services are rendered.
  • In Knysna, the local Municipality has called for a concerted effort in implementing feeding schemes across all communities. Designated drop-off points for donations and support from the public have been established.
  • Witzenberg Municipality is currently feeding 243 households and looking to expand to 600 households by the end of the month.
  • Stellenbosch Municipality is preparing for the first wave of community based screening, expected to be rolled out in the area next week. The municipality is working with the Stellenbosch Unite partners to distribute food parcels to residents in need and the municipality also encourages all residents who are able, to make a contribution.

More information is on the municipal website and social media sites.

  • Cape Agulhas Municipality is feeding 1530 people per day.
  • Mosselbay Municipality continues to provide food to vulnerable communities. Door to door health checks are being done along with the provincial health department in KwaNonqaba and other smaller areas around the region.
  • Cape Winelands District Municipality is actively assisting and promoting the distance learning schools education programs already in place.

“As the lockdown period has been extended we continue to urge all residents to stay at home and adhere to the regulations,” Bredell says.

He has urged all citizens with questions regarding the proposed lockdown and what it means for them, their families and their lives to visit the website: www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus

“This website is an up to date source of information for all citizens and gets updated continuously as information comes in. In addition, if you have flu-like symptoms, and have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, please contact the provincial hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice on what to do next. Please always get a second opinion if you are at all concerned.”

NB: Media Alert Premier Winde to provide update on Western Cape response to Coronavirus in digital press conference. Premier Winde will go live at 2.30pm. His Facebook page can be found at at https://www.facebook.com/windealan/

ENDS.

James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson to the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

Western Cape Government

9th Floor, Utilitas Building, 1 Dorp Street, Cape Town, South Africa

Telephone  : +27 21 483 2820

Mobile        : +27 84 5831670

E-mail          : james-brent.styan@westerncape.gov.za

Media Statement: CIPC Certification process for essential service businesses during extended lockdown

MEDIA STATEMENT

16 April 2020

Companies, which are registered through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission’s (CIPC) BizPortal to perform essential services during the lockdown period, will be required to have a new certificate from the BizPortal website for the extended period, which begins tomorrow 17 April 2020.

The certificate will be sent via email using the details provided at the time of registration, and will also be available for download from today. Companies will receive the certificates from today and the full list of registered companies will have received their certificates by the weekend.

The new certificate will clearly state that it is for the extended lockdown period, beginning 17 April 2020, and South African Police Service officials will be told which certificates to look for.

Certificates issued before today will no longer be valid and must be disposed of. To provide time for businesses to adjust to the new requirements, the new certificates will be available to be displayed from start of business on Monday, 20 April 2020.

The department reminds the public that possession of the CIPC certificate is still subject to the company fully complying with the applicable Lockdown Regulations and is a record of the company’s details, and does not in itself constitute the right to continue operating during the period.

Only businesses which provide essential services in terms of the Lockdown Regulations, as amended, issued by the Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs may continue their operations during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The CIPC certificate is a reference to the legal registration of the company in terms of the Companies Act, 2008 (Act No. 71 of 2008) and a record of registration to the CIPC. It does not give a firm or individual a right to trade if that company does not fall into an Essential Service as defined in the Lockdown Regulations.

The Department clarifies that the registration portal is only for companies registered in terms of the Companies Act. Other essential service providers, like healthcare professionals registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, sole proprietors who provide essential goods and services (like small business owners and spaza shops), and small-scale farmers will not register through the Bizportal. These businesses will not have a CIPC certificate, but must still comply with the provisions of the lockdown regulations.

Where the CIPC finds that certificates have been issued to companies which do not meet the definitions of an essential service, such certificate will be revoked, and the company will be referred to the South African Police Services. False declaration by the company is a criminal offence and will result in prosecution, in terms of Lockdown Regulations.

The regulations for the extended lockdown have also clarified that the transportation of liquor is prohibited, except where alcohol is required for industries producing hand sanitizers, disinfectants, soap, alcohol for industrial use and household cleaning products.

To confirm if your business complies, please consult the necessary regulation at https://www.gov.za/documents/disaster-management-act-regulations-address-prevent-and-combat-spread-coronavirus-covid-19.

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
Mobile: 079 492 1774
E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
Follow us on Twitter: @the_dti

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

16 April 2020

Today would have marked the final day of the original lockdown period and I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to those residents who have taken it seriously, who have abided by the rules and have helped us to stop the spread.

We understand that this is hard- we have never faced a situation of this nature in this country before. But every single person who has complied has played a very important role in ensuring that we are able to reduce the number of infections, protect vulnerable groups and ultimately, to save lives.

The next two weeks of lockdown are an opportunity for us to do even more to stop the spread. The more we do now, the more time we have to prepare ourselves and all of our systems, and the more lives we will be able to save.

Situational update:

As of 00h01 on 16 April, the Western Cape has recorded 702 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 702
Total recoveries 205
Total confirmed deaths 7
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 490
Patients in hospital 35 of which 16 are in ICU
Unallocated 4

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases
Western 209
Southern 150
Northern 34
Tygerberg 66
Eastern 48
Klipfontein 39
Mitchells Plain 20
Khayelitsha 25
Total 591

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District  Sub-district Cases
Garden Route Bitou 5
Garden Route Knysna 13
Garden Route George 13
Garden Route Hessequa 5
Garden Route Mossel Bay 17
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 2
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 14
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 7
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 9
Cape Winelands Langeberg 1
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 3
Overberg Overstrand 10
Overberg Theewaterskloof 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 4
West Coast Matzikama 1
West Coast Swartland 2

* Due to updates to address data, two cases from Stellenbosch have been re-assigned to a different sub-district.

Health systems response:

As the national government’s modeling has indicated, the lockdown has delayed the curve of the Coronavirus pandemic, buying us time to prepare our healthcare systems to properly cater to the need that will arise at this time.

Yesterday, the we opened the temporary testing and triage unit at Mitchells Plain hospital. This is one of 17 such planned units, which help to alleviate the pressure on our emergency centres and allow us to screen, test and assist patients separately from the hospital’s other services.

This is just one aspect of our planning. We have also identified various sites to be used as temporary hospital facilities.

These plans include three additional temporary acute treatment facilities where patients will be admitted and receive supportive treatment. We are planning two such facilities in the metro region, and a third in one of our non-metro areas. Each site will provide us with an additional 300-650 beds.

We are in the advanced stages of planning and negotiation on some of these sites and will make announcements in this regard shortly.

As community screening and testing continues to reach more people, the need for isolation and quarantine facilities will increase. This enables us to place people, who may not be able to isolate or quarantine in their homes, into safe facilities. We already have a number of sites available to us which have been in use up until now.

The Western Cape Government does not reveal the location of these sites in order to protect patient privacy.

Volunteers:

The Western Cape launched its recruitment drive for volunteers with medical experience, on 3 April. Since then, we have received 854 responses to the call, which we are currently reviewing. We thank all of these people for offering to step up to the frontline to assist the thousands of Western Cape Government healthcare workers who have already been activated, or who stand ready to respond to increased admissions as a result of COVID-19.

Those still wishing to volunteer can fill out the form available at: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/department-of-health/volunteer-recruitment-questionnaire

Community screening and testing update:

Since community screening started on 4 April, we have screened 28 718 people and tested 2102 people.

In total, the province has conducted 12 785 tests for COVID-19.

We have had an overwhelmingly positive response to community testing, which was drastically scaled up this week. Testing has been targeted at areas where community transmissions have occurred and in high density areas where the risk of further infection, or infection of vulnerable groups, is higher.

The screening is designed to be agile and to react quickly to new pockets of infection.

This has been especially important as over the past week we have registered a number of cases linked to supermarkets. Supermarkets are one of the few spaces during a lockdown where members of the public interface, and it is therefore crucial that those who shop take excellent hygiene and social distancing precautions, including hand sanitizing, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the crook of the elbow and ensuring that there is physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres. We also encourage the use of clean, cloth masks.

We have worked with these supermarkets to screen, test and isolate cases and to ensure close contacts quarantine themselves.

Stores have also been closed to allow for deep cleaning so as to ensure they are safe for customers.

We have also as a result, pro-actively developed protocols to be used in the retail sector, and will be meeting with supermarket representatives soon in order to discuss these.

The public is urged to only leave the home when absolutely necessary. Where possible, shopping should only be done by one family member, and by the healthiest person in the home.

Those who feel ill must stay at home. Anyone experiencing symptoms can call the national or provincial hotline numbers in order to be advised of the best course of action.

Repatriation efforts:

Our provincial JOC, together with the South African Police Services have been hard at work planning and executing several repatriation operations.

In total 5276 people have been repatriated to Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, France, the USA, Belgium, Canada, Brazil and Switzerland.

Some of these operations have been logistically complex-with several flights taking off on the same day. We thank all of those involved in helping to ensure that these operations have been done with the highest regard for the safety of all of those involved.

The extension of the lockdown period has seen increased demand among foreign visitors wanting to return home. We will continue to work closely with the various embassies and consulates in order to accommodate their requests. Those wishing to return home must liaise with their various embassies or consulates in order to arrange this.

16 April 2020 Call for applications: COVID-19 Agricultural disaster support fund for smallholder and communal farmers

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development hereby calls for applications from small holder farmers/producers who are currently in production and preparing for winter crops.

The main objective of this support is to complete the current production cycle in an effort to ensure adequate food production and supplies. The targeted beneficiaries are smallholder and communal producers with a turnover between R20 000 and R1 million per annum. 50% women, 40% youth and 6% people with disability will be targeted.  The Funding is a grant and the voucher system will apply in partnership with distributors and manufactures of these inputs and the grant shall not exceed R50 000 per farming operation.

The specific targeted commodities to be supported are the following: (this is guided by the country’s self-sufficiency index)

Commodity Specific Support
Poultry Day old chicks, Point of lay chickens, feed, medication and sawdust;
Vegetables Seed, Seedlings, fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides and soil correction.
Fruits Final spraying programmes for fruits that are ready for harvest.
Livestock Feed and medication
Winter Crops Soil correction, fertilizer, seeds, herbicides and pesticides.

Application Form

Agricultural Support Application Form

 Closing Date for the application is 22 APRIL 2020 by 16h00. Late applications will not be considered.

 Disclaimer: due to limitation of funds not all qualifying farmers will be funded.

Minimum Requirements

  • Smallholder farmers/producers must have a minimum turnover of R20 000 per annum but not exceeding R1 million. (produce financial records or evidence if financial statement cannot be produced during this lockdown period )
  • South African Certified ID copy; not older than 3 months
  • Valid confirmation of land tenure/ownership (title deeds, Tribal Resolution, Permission to Occupy, minimum 5 years lease agreement)
  • Already farming
  • Application form completed
  • Farming operation able to create permanent and/or seasonal jobs
  • In cases where the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Certificate is necessary for the operations, evidence of such to be provided.
  • Proof of access to water for irrigation in case of fruits, vegetables and winter crops (i.e. water license/rights or proof that it had been applied for, borehole or other sources).
  • Non-Government Employees

More detail on the selection criteria please visit the respective provincial Department of Agriculture OR national department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development or visit www.dalrrd.gov.za

The applications will be evaluated in line with the agreed selection criteria.

Application forms are available at Both National and Provincial Departments of Agriculture offices as well as at the district and National offices of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. DALRRD website: www.dalrrd.gov.za.

Completed application forms with the supporting documents must be submitted to the nearest Local, District Municipality or DALRRD.