Author: Marillia Veldkornet
8 August 2020 Severe Weather Alert: Damaging Winds
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following weather alert.
Hazard: Damaging Winds
Alert level: Watch
Valid from (SAST): 08/08/20 – 12h00
Valid to (SAST): 09/08/20 – 00h00
A Gale force NW wind (62 to 74km/h) is expected between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas and over the Central Karoo (Western Cape) tomorrow(08/08/2020).
ADVISORY
1.Strong (50-65km/h) north westerly winds are expected over the interior of the Western Cape on Saturday and Sunday (08-09/08/2020).
2.Strong to near gale force (60-70km/h) north westerly winds are expected between Lamberts Bay and Cape Point on Saturday (08/08/2020) but strong to gale force (65-80km/h) westerly to south-westerly between Cape Point and Plettenberg Bay overnight into Sunday (09/08/2020).
DESCRIPTION: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions
Whenever there are prolonged periods of little and no rain coupled with warm dry winds, veldt or bush fires can easily be sparked and will spread rapidly in strong winds.
PRECAUTIONS: Dangerous veld/bush fire conditions
Don’t make fires in the open and/or leave fires unattended. Don’t throw cigarette butts out of cars or in the open veldt. Don’t throw bottles in the veldt as they can magnify the sun’s rays and start fires. Prepare and maintain fire breaks in controlled manner. In the case of a large fire report it immediately and move away from the area to let the professionals deal with it. Never throw water onto a fire started by an electrical fault or fires started by oil or paraffin lamps. In this case sand or a blanket should be used to smother the fire. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Report any severe weather incidents to the Garden Route Disaster Management Centre at: 044- 805 5071
7 August 2020 Media Advisory: Minister Madikizela to visit Garden Route district (07 August to 11 August)
Media Advisory: Minister Madikizela to visit Garden Route district (07 August to 11 August)
For Immediate Release
7 August 2020
This weekend, the Western Cape MEC for Transport and Public Works, Minister Bongikosi Madikizela, will be visiting the Garden Route district to assess compliance to Covid-19 regulations at various sites in the area.
The programme will commence in Bitou on Friday (this afternoon) at 16h00, with Knysna that will follow from 8h00 to 12h30 on Saturday. The George area will be next on the programme starting on Sunday from 9h00 to Monday 12h30. MEC Madizikela will conclude with his visits on Tuesday from 9h00 to 11h30 when he visits Mossel Bay.
Madikizela will focus on compliance adherence regionally, in particularly long distance transport and taxi ranks, including road blocks. Taxi ranks need to adhere to 70% loading capacity.
As part of this initiative, Minister Madikizela also plans to meet with transport stakeholders and officially open a government vehicle pool facility during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in George.
Media Queries – Cell: 082 953 002
5 August 2020 Media Release: More EPWP essential workers for the Garden Route to stop the spread of COVID-19
Media Release: More EPWP essential workers for the Garden Route to stop the spread of COVID-19
For immediate release
5 August 2020
With the Garden Route district being identified as one of the COVID-19 hotspots in the Western Cape, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), last month trained 119 Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) essential workers, to assist at hotspots in the district and to create awareness about COVID-19.
With the substantial surge of infections over the past weeks, more workers have been recruited of which now reached a total of 226 workers on the programme, with eighty (80) being recruited to service the George municipal, area as the hotspot of the Garden Route. Twenty-eight (28) workers have been deployed to Knysna, 36 to Hessequa, 30 to Bitou, 20 to the Greater Oudtshoorn municipal area, 12 to Kannaland and 20 to Mossel Bay.
According to Mr Richard Dyantyi, Manager for the EPWP at the GRDM, the increase number of essential workers in these areas, was influenced by the rise in the COVID-19 infections. Hence the deployment by the National Department of Public Works in collaboration with National Department of Health.
Their tasks include: health promotion on COVID-19 prevention by creating awareness, the distribution of soap and hand sanitizers, cleaning and disinfection of public areas that are frequently visited by members of the public such as SASSA pay points, taxi ranks, communal water collection points and areas identified by GRDM Municipal Health Services. All these tasks are performed with the personal protective equipment provided by the Independent Development Trust (IDT). He also said: “All workers are trained and supervised by Environmental Health Practitioners from GRDM. The recruited EPWP participants are subjected to a screening process, which is coordinated by the GRDM Municipal Health Services . The recruitment is done in such a way that the appointed workers service their respective local Municipal wards,” he added.
The Executive Mayor of GRDM, Alderman Memory Booysen, highlighted: “The increased number of essential workers to these hotspots is an indication that we adapt our efforts to ensure that we address the pandemic as it unfolds. We cannot entirely predict the number of persons to be infected, as community transmissions are highly unpredictable, but we can intensify our initiatives to address the demands, if needed. This is one such example thereof,” Mayor Booysen concluded.
The Head of Disaster Management at GRDM, Mr Gerhard Otto, said that this additional manpower will assist on ground level to monitor the Covid-19 safety measures i.e. social distancing, regular washing of hands with soap and water as well as the wearing of face masks. Over the next two to three weeks a whole of government approach with all “hands on deck” would be required to slow down the spread of this deadly virus and ensure the flattening of Covid-19 curve. This would assist in ensuring that our health system meets the ever-increasing demand for critical health care.
This programme is an initiative of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) as a member of the National Joints (NatJoints) Committee, who identified this initiative as the best response mechanism to assist the Department of Health to deliver required public health services at elementary level for purposes of COVID-19 spread prevention and control. The programme is a collective effort between the DPWI, Independent Development Trust, NPOs (such as Edu-Plett and God Care International), Department of Employment and Labour, GRDM and Local Municipalities in the Garden Route district.
ENDS
4 August 2020 Media Release: Bricklaying Apprenticeship continues to benefit youth of the Garden Route
Media Release: Bricklaying Apprenticeship continues to benefit youth of the Garden Route
For immediate release
4 August 2020
The Steel and Engineering Industries Federation of Southern Africa, together with the Services SETA, approached the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to participate and pilot an A21 Bricklaying Apprenticeship programme. The municipality was provided with ten (10) seats for unemployed youth in the district.
The seats offered to the municipality were split between Bitou Municipality and GRDM and the programme started in March 2019, stretching over a period of three (3) years.
However, with the lockdown announced in March this year, the programme had to be temporary brought to a halt. During this period, the South Cape College which was appointed as training provider, continued to pay stipends to the apprentices, as per the directive of the Department Higher Education and Training (DHET) since the lockdown was announced.
This programme is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education and Training and was designed to meet two objectives:
- to address the demand for priority trades needed for the implementation of Government’s National Development Plan in general and its National Infrastructure Plan more particularly; and
- to contribute towards the building of capacity of its public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College system to deliver trade qualifications with employer partners.
According to Mr Reginald Salmons, GRDM Coordinator for Skills Development and Training, the initiative was also identified as part of the Garden Route Skills Summit resolutions, to “Progressively support the development of the new apprenticeship of 21st Century (A21) in the District”.
The programme is currently in its second year and has resumed in June 2020.
The learners are being trained theoretically by South Cape College and then do their practicals at a construction company identified by the GRDM.
Photo Caption: Skills Development and Training officials at Garden Route District Municipality, Ms Angeline Naidoo (left) and Mr Reginald Salmons (fifth from left) with the participants of the A21 Bricklaying Apprenticeship in the District.
4 August 2020 Media Release: How Red Dot Transport operates in the Garden Route
Media Release: How Red Dot Transport operates in the Garden Route
For immediate release
04 August 2020
The Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works is responsible for the implementation and monitoring of a critical transport service during the COVID-19 pandemic to those making use of isolation and quarantine facilities.
If a person does not have a safe or adequate space to isolate and quarantine at, a Red Dot Taxi will be used to escort the patient safely to and from one of the regional facilities. The Western Cape Department of Health earlier this year appointed Umanyano Travel Services to provide the service.
Each vehicle is fitted with a protective screen between the driver and passengers, a tracker to monitor performance and the recognisable Red Dot Taxi sticker to make them easily identifiable for their intended passengers. To ensure that passengers stay and feel safe during their trips, drivers/operators, during and after trips, follow strict safety and hygiene protocols. This includes proper cleaning and the sanitisation of vehicles, the use of cloth masks and appropriate protective gear.
The service can only be arranged through public health facilities in the Western Cape, whereby a clinician (doctor or nurse), will request for a person to be transported.
Also read: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/red-dot-transports-12-000-healthcare-workers
28 July 2020 Media Release: A positive attitude helped her beat COVID-19
28 July 2020 Media Release: A positive attitude helped her beat COVID-19
For Immediate Release
28 July 2020
An asthmatic official employed at the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), Ms Spasina Brinkhuys, recently received a notification from the laboratory that she tested positive for COVID-19.
Now out of isolation, she recalls how she got the annual flue this time of the year; however this year her minor symptoms resulted in her going for a COVID-19 test, which confirmed her suspicion.
She stated that on Friday, 17 July 2020, prior to the week when she received her results, she started experiencing mild flu-like symptoms. On Saturday morning, not knowing whether it was the normal flu or perhaps COVID-19 as she had a runny nose, she decided that she would need to work from home as from the Monday the following week. By Monday morning when her symptoms were unchanged, she decided to visit her physician who recommended that she needed to go for a COVID-19 test at the local PathCare pathology practice. With a short moment of waiting for a test that took place in seconds, she received her results in the evening of the same day. “It did not come as a shock, as I was mentally prepared for the news. I just said to myself, I need to fight this infection with all positivity I have in me,” she said.
The first thing Spasina did after receiving her results in the evening, was to immediately wake up all the members in her household to break the news, to ensure that they follow all quarantine protocols and to stay safe while she had to put herself into self-isolation. Early the next morning, she also contacted the GRDM to inform them about her results. GRDM responded by immediately closing the head office for disinfection and, informing her close contacts. Spasina also informed the school that her children attend.
Her family supported her during this period and constantly monitored her symptoms. During this period she used the paracetamols prescribed by her physician, multivitamins, ate many fruits, as well as vegetables rich in Vitamin C and drank plenty of hot fluids. She further made sure that she caught some morning sunlight.
On day-4 of being in isolation she sent an e-mail to her employer, stating:
“I was wearing my mask all the time and using my gloves while I was working – but I still got the virus.
I normally get flu this time of the year and my current symptoms are the same as normal flu.
Not everyone will get this virus – if your immune system is strong enough, then one won’t get infected. And when one does get the virus, it’s not necessary transmitted from someone specific, it could have been transmitted from droplets left in the air. I therefore don’t know who gave it to me and how or when I got infected, and I also did not get all the COVID-19 symptoms.
My experience is that I just got my normal flu symptoms, but I tested positive.
My doctor gave me Panado capsules and said it’s the only medication to use, and in addition I used more and more vitamins.
Today is my 4th day and I am feeling very good”.
In closing she highlighted: “I was very lucky” and added that many others who contract the virus develop severe complications and others tragically die. “I have asthma; I believe God really protected me throughout my COVID-19 journey”.
She would like to share a word of gratitude to her physician who recommended that she go for testing, practitioners at PathCare for making her feel at ease when they tested her, her family for their support, care and love, as well as her employer, the Garden Route District Municipality and to all those who supported her during this uncertain period of her life.
Photo caption: Spasina Brinkhuys, Manager for Records and Archives at Garden Route District Municipality, who defeated the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
ENDS
27 July 2020 Media Release: Those in self-isolation and quarantine in Oudtshoorn stay at home
Media Release: Those in self-isolation and quarantine in Oudtshoorn stay at home
For Immediate Release
27 July 2020
“Everyone was found to be 100% compliant following a routine inspection by Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) to Oudtshoorn households,” said GRDM Manager for Municipal Health Services of the Klein Karoo Region,” Mr Desmond Paulse.
On Friday 17 July 2020, EHPs from GRDM offices in the Hessequa, Mossel Bay and George sub-districts joined the GRDM Oudtshoorn EHPs to conduct COVID-19 compliance inspections at 71 households where positive COVID-19 patients were in self -isolation. Compliance visits include checking if those who are supposed to be in isolation are at home and are following all COVID-19 protocols.
In concluding each visit, EHPs donate bottles of sanitiser sprays to each household and continue to raise health and hygiene awareness in the affected areas. Each household is given pamphlets relating to home care advice and how to properly disinfect one’s home.
Mr Desmond Paulse shared a word of gratitude to all participants who supported the Oudtshoorn EHPs during the visits in their effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to save lives.
Home care advice
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water,
- Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and throw the tissue away safely in a bin,
- Double-bag household waste and store for 5 days before putting it out for collection.
How to clean and disinfect surfaces in your home
- Mix 6 teaspoons of bleach with 1 litre (4 cups) of water and apply to the surface. Leave for 2 minutes and then wipe off with water.
Feature Image caption: EHPs who conducted the compliance visits were (fltr): Willie Plaatjies and Johan Smith (Oudtshoorn), Marcelles Hurling and Haemish Herwels (Riversdale) Desmond Paulse and Elizna Cairncross, with (front, sitting) Francois Koelman (Oudtshoorn). Monique Anthony and Ikhanya Hendriks (Mossel Bay), as well as Ivy Mamegwa, Jessica Erasmus, Clive Africa (Executive Manager: Community Services) and Johan Compion (Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services) from George, were absent during the photograph.
ENDS
21 July 2020 Notice of Council Meeting on 27 July 2020 at 11:00
The Council Meeting will be live streamed on the municipality’s official Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UC66RBZT0_U2_L4-zSn7yXJQ
