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COVID-19: Western Cape Provincial Overview 7

20 May 2020

COVID-19: Western Cape Provincial Overview 7

Municipalities in the Western Cape are preparing for a phased re-opening of municipal offices in line with COVID 19 health and safety measures. Community screenings, roadblocks and humanitarian relief driven by municipalities, continue across the province.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, says municipal risk assessments of workplaces are being done and public buildings and offices are being cleaned and sanitised.

“Outside of the public health situation with regards to Covid-19, the ongoing humanitarian challenge is our biggest challenge. To date 134 515 food parcels and nearly 200 000 daily cooked meals have been provided to beneficiaries in the province by a combination of organisations, private donors, government entities, municipalities and private businesses. These efforts continue non-stop.”

Some of the latest efforts being done in some municipalities across the province:

  •  The West Coast District Municipality (WCDM) is assisting the Department of Social Development with the assessment and verification of individuals and households who’ve applied for food parcels. The district municipality will set up a call centre and avail personnel to assist with the backlog of applications which will shorten the waiting period of food parcel deliveries.
  • With the objective of ensuring a more hygienic environment WCDM Fire Services continue with sanitizing of public spaces. Twenty-six spaza shops were sanitized in Darling while the disinfection of reception areas of local police stations continue across the district.
  • The vast distances between towns in the West Coast district remains a big challenge. To assist the local municipalities with their humanitarian relief projects the Executive Mayor of WCDM, Alderman Harold Cleophas, agreed that the district municipality will transport food parcels to the Matzikama- and Cederberg municipal areas. Travel distance to the furthest drop-off point is more than 200 kilometres.
  • Hessequa Municipality: Door-to-door screening took place from 11 – 14 May 2020.  The initial target of approximately 7,500 screenings was exceeded and 12,427 residents were screened during this 4-day period.
  • Stellenbosch Municipality is preparing for its first ever virtual Council Meeting, scheduled for 27 May 2020. All councillors are receiving training to help facilitate this process. Sanitizing of public spaces, offices and depots continue to ensure the safety of our staff and residents.
  • The City of Cape Town has reprioritised R12 million towards targeted food insecurity programs around the metropole, working with public sector institutions in order to ensure residents in need receives a meal.
  • Swartland Municipality: 72 feeding schemes continue to provide meals to the vulnerable in the whole of the Swartland Municipal area.

Bredell has urged all citizens with questions or concerns or who wish to make a contribution in the ongoing struggle to visit the provincial website: www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus or to get in touch with their local municipalities for assistance.

“In addition, if you have flu-like symptoms, and may 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.”

ENDS.

Media enquiries:

James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell

Mobile: 084 583 1670 / E-mail:  James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za