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/

20 April 2020

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

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

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.

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

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

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.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

* 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.

15 April 2020

As of 00h01 on 15 April, the Western Cape has recorded 676 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 3

There are currently 37 Covid-19 positive people being treated in hospitals in the province, with 18 of these in intensive care.

Mitchells Plain testing and triage centre:

Today, we opened the new testing and triage centre at the Mitchells Plain hospital. This is one of 17 such facilities planned for the province. These centres help to take the pressure off of emergency centres and allow a dedicated space for patients who are symptomatic, or believe they require testing, to be triaged, screened and tested.

Similar facilities are already operational at Tygerberg and Paarl hospitals. Testing and triage centres are also planned for Khayelitsha and the Garden Route.

The facilities have been designed with social distancing in mind and have been set up so that symptomatic and asymptomatic patients are seated in separate areas.

They can also be easily converted, should the need arise, to create additional bed space.

This is just one aspect of our medical response to the coronavirus-aimed at ensuring our facilities are geared to provide the appropriate care and to stop the spread. We are currently exploring the use of sites across the province where temporary care, quarantine or isolation facilities can be created, should the need arise.

Community testing update:

A total of 17 275 people were screened in the province in the first week of testing (4-10 April). Of these, a total of 1220 people have been tested as part of this initiative. We thank those communities where people have come out in their numbers to be screened and tested. This helps us to identify possible pockets of infection, and move swiftly to start contact tracing, isolating and quarantining.

Screening will be conducted in the following places tomorrow:

Metro:

Northern Tygerberg Subdistrict: Kraaifontein (Ward 6), Belhar

Southern Western Subdistrict: Imizamo Yethu, Du Noon

Klipfontein Mitchells Plain Subdistrict: Gugulethu, Nyanga, Silvertown, Heinz Park, Manenberg

Khayelitsha Eastern Subdistrict: Mfuleni, Macassar, Site C (Khayelitsha)

Non-metro:

Cape Winelands: Mbekweni, Drommedaris

Garden Route: Asla Park, Notina Street Block, Zoar, Amalienstein, Vanwyksdorp, Calitzdorp, Ladismith.

Third Thursday reminder:

Due to the phenomenal public response to our First Thursday radio show, I will be hosting a Third Thursday show Question and Answer show between 6pm and 7pm tomorrow. This will be an hour long show which will be facilitated at Bush Radio and simulcast across several stations across the province. Listeners will be able to call in on 021 448 6266, WhatsApp on 061 862 1065 or SMS keyword Covid-19 to 32158 followed by their question, name and area. Each SMS costs R1.00

14 April 2020

As of 00h01 on 14 April, the Western Cape has recorded 657 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 9

A total of 184 recoveries have been recorded (in line with NICD guidelines on recoveries) in the province.

• A note on today’s statistics: A case allocated to Bitou yesterday has been re-assigned to Witzenberg after address details were updated. We apologise for the inconvenience. The laboratories sometimes use patient addresses already on file at the time of testing, which are then corrected during the follow-up and contact tracing processes.

There are currently 35 Covid-19 positive people being treated in hospitals in the province, with 18 of these in intensive care.

Cloth masks:

Today I had the opportunity to visit two clothing manufacturers who have repurposed their factories in order to make cloth masks. The KWay factory in Ottery and the Reliance Clothing factory in Observatory have both recently repurposed their production lines in order to make cloth masks. The Western Cape Government has advised residents to wear cloth masks when going out into public places like grocery shops, pharmacies and to medical facilities.

Worn correctly, clean cloth masks, in conjunction with hand washing, social distancing and other hygiene measures, are a tool to help stop the spread.

At the same time, these companies have been able to bring back some of their production staff to perform this essential service, and provide work to home-based CMTs, who would otherwise have no other source of income during this period.

While visiting the workspaces, I was pleased to see various measures in place to ensure the safety of their staff, including reduced numbers of people to ensure social distancing, and strict hygiene measures. All staff were also wearing their own cloth masks.

As we prepare to transition out of the lockdown phase in a few weeks, we must prepare individuals, workplaces and businesses for the “new normal”. This will mean taking extra precautions to prevent further infections while we ramp up economic activity again.

We encourage those who can do so, to make their own masks, and also to make for or donate to less fortunate communities.

Community screening and testing:

Community testing and screening will be conducted in the following areas tomorrow:

Metro:

Northern Tygerberg Subdistrict: Kraaifontein (Ward 6), Delft, Belhar

Southern Western Subdistrict: Imizamo Yethu, Du Noon, Lotus River, Grassy Park

Klipfontein Mitchells Plain Subdistrict: Gugulethu, Nyanga, Silvertown, Hanover Park, Manenberg

Khayelitsha Eastern Subdistrict: Mfuleni, Macassar, Site C (Khayelitsha)

Non-metro:

Cape Winelands: Mbekweni, White City

Garden Route: Asla Park, Fikile Street Block, Zoar, Amalienstein, Vanwyksdorp, Calitzdorp, Ladismith

West Coast: Vredendal Noord, Mangaung, Piketberg, Old Asla Houses, Riverview South Citrusdal, Clanwilliam (Khayelitsha), Malmesbury (Ilingilethu), Saldanha Town (Marikanna, Middel pos)

Screening sites may be changed at short notice.

Lockdown humanitarian aid:

The Coronavirus has resulted in widespread economic hardship for many South Africans and we are extremely worried that many vulnerable communities no longer have the means to put food on the table.

In order to respond to this major challenge, during the lockdown, the Western Cape Government has assigned R53 million in additional funding which will be used for emergency school feeding, to bolster the Department of Social Development’s feeding programmes and for the once-off creation and distribution of 50 000 food parcels.

Earlier today, community unrest broke out in Mitchells Plain around the distribution of food parcels. We also saw looting in certain areas. This demonstrates the serious humanitarian challenge facing communities across our country, and the need for increased support from SASSA and national government in addition to our emergency measures. We urge all residents to abide by the law and looting cannot be tolerated.

We are pleased that SASSA has started distributing food relief. As the lead agency charged with social support to the poor in terms of the Social Assistance Act, they have an important role to play in helping communities through this tremendously difficult time. We hope that they continue to do more to help vulnerable communities – in line with their mandate, and we urge the national minister to reconsider her directive closing all of SASSA’s local offices during the lockdown period. We also look forward to working with National Government on their humanitarian relief programmes, and we hope to see these details soon.

With respect to the Western Cape Government’s emergency additional funding which was approved as a result of the lockdown: each individual request will be assessed by departmental officials based on the criteria set out below.

DSD social workers complete the screening and assessments of all beneficiaries, to ensure that those individuals who are the most vulnerable, benefit from the limited food parcels that are available.

The food parcels will support an average household for one month and will be based on the following qualifying criteria:

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

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

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

• A person who is on medication or who suffers from a chronic illness and have 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.

The current situation we find ourselves in is unprecedented and as the lockdown is set to continue until the end of the month, affecting the ability to earn a living across our province, we are likely to see more people needing assistance. This is something that is going to take effort from all levels of government and of society to solve. Now is the time for kindness, empathy and generosity. We know that this is a difficult time for many, but we call on those individuals, businesses and NGOs who are able to assist, to do so. To find out more about how to assist, visit the How You Can Help page at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus. We thank all of those organisations and people who have stepped up to help their fellow citizens.

Media Release: App launched to support entrepreneurs in the Western Cape

For Immediate Release
14 April 2020

On Tuesday, 6 April 2020 a new mobile application (app) called JUMP for Entrepreneurs Smartphone app was launched by the Western Cape Government, which guarantees trusted information, access to business networks, tools and advice to business owners in the Western Cape.

The app was develop by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and is designed to be an innovative one-stop-shop of support for existing and potential businesses, with all the resources needed to start, scale and grow a business.  The app will be updated with the latest information on the coronavirus relevant to businesses.

According to the Western Cape Government the app will also offer advice on industry sector experts on regulations, and guidelines to support businesses and their staff at this time, but will also be an invaluable resource into the future.

The Jump for entrepreneurs app is available and free to download on the App Store and Google Play and ‘’offer entrepreneurs a range of fantastic features including a map-driven database of more than 4 000 small businesses and service providers spread across the Western Cape’’.  In other word, an entrepreneur will be able to list his/her business, find other businesses to network with, and support in their area.

Other features available in the app include:

How To – for guidance on starting and running your business

Biz Assist – to find local organisations and businesses to network with

JumpCast – for inspiring talks from experts and other entrepreneurs

JumpStart – a business health check that highlights new opportunities and ideas.

For new information on the JUMP app for entrepreneurs visit www.bizjump.co.za.