The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following severe weather alerts:
Hazard
Alert Level
Valid From (SAST)
Valid To (SAST)
Flooding
Warning
11/06/20 01h00
11/06/20 23h00
Localised urban flooding due to continuous ‘on and off’ rainshowers are expected over Cape Winelands, Cape Metropole, western parts of Overberg districts (W.Cape) as well as the eastern parts of Cederberg and Bergrivier municipalities (W.Cape) today (11/06/2020).
Description: Strong damaging winds
Strong damaging winds often occur along coastal regions, but also often occur during thunderstorm activity. These winds are sudden and can cause much damage.Precautions: Strong damaging winds
Stay indoors where possible away from the windows that open towards the severe winds. Be aware of the following: – sudden cross winds if traveling especially between buildings, fallen trees or power lines and flying debris.
Small boats must stay away from the open sea and seek the shelter of a harbour, river estuary or protected bay.
Parked aircraft should be pointed into the direction of the wind and secured Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.Descriptions: SnowSnow is precipitation in the form of flakes of crystalline water ice that fall from clouds. Since snow is composed of small ice particles, it is a granular material.Precautions: Snow
If driving decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop, you should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
Description: An intense cod front
A tropical cyclone or an intense cyclonic system is a storm system characterized by a low pressure centre generating extreme winds and numerous showers and thundershowers that produce flooding rain and driving winds. These systems may produce torrential rain, high waves, and damaging storm surges resulting in extensive coastal and inland flooding up to 40 kilometres from the coastline.
Precautions: An intense cold frons
Dress in warm brightly coloured wet weather gear (clothing). In the case of a Tropical Cyclone pack a small waterproof survival kit made up of food and drinkable water. If possible wear a life vest or floatation device. If you have flares make sure these are sealed.
If caught unawares barricade windows with wooded panels or strips as the storm will shatter glass windows. If ordered to evacuate do so immediately and in an orderly fashion. Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
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.
The Cape Town Weather Office has issued the following severe weather alerts:
HAZARD 1: Veld Fire Conditions
Alert Level: Warning
Valid From (SAST): 08/06/20 08h00
Valid To (SAST): 08/06/20 18h00
Expected over the Central Karoo, Garden Route and the northern part of Cape Winelands (W.Cape) tomorrow (08/06/2020).
HAZARD 2: Damaging Winds
Alert Level: Advisory
Valid From (SAST): 09/06/20 00h00
Valid To (SAST): 11/06/20 00h00
Strong interior winds (50 to 70km/h) are expected over the Cape Winelands, Central Karoo and the Garden Route municipalities (W.Cape) on Tuesday (09/06/2020).
DESCRIPTION: Strong damaging winds
Strong damaging winds often occur along coastal regions, but also often occur during thunderstorm activity. These winds are sudden and can cause much damage.
PRECAUTIONS: Strong damaging winds
Stay indoors where possible away from the windows that open towards the severe winds. Be aware of the following: – sudden cross winds if traveling especially between buildings, fallen trees or power lines and flying debris.
Small boats must stay away from the open sea and seek the shelter of a harbour, river estuary or protected bay.
Parked aircraft should be pointed into the direction of the wind and secured Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.
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.
Once a person has been diagnosed with Covid -19, has had mild symptoms only, and has been in isolation for 14 days, no follow-up test is needed. The person is then considered as recovered, and may return to work.
(This also applies to a person who self-isolates for 14 days after the onset of Covid-19 symptoms without testing). Public health facilities will not re-test anyone after 14 days of isolation. We have received numerous requests from private companies to retest their staff or to issue them with a letter to confirm that they don’t have Covid-19 anymore. The re-test will not be done, but Western Cape Government Health can issue a letter to confirm that a person is fit for work after this above period of isolation.
Wanneer ‘n persoon met Kovid -19 gediagnoseer word, slegs ligte simptome gehad het en 14 dae in isolasie was, is geen opvolgtoets nodig nie. Die persoon word dan as herstel beskou en kan terugkeer werk toe. (Dit is ook van toepassing op iemand wat 14 dae na die aanvang van Kovid-19-simptome ge-self isoleer het sonder om te toets). Gesondheidsfasiliteite sal nie opvolgtoetse na 14 dae van isolasie doen nie. Ons het talle versoeke van privaatondernemings ontvang om hul personeel weer te toets of om ‘n brief aan hulle te gee om te bevestig dat hulle nie meer Kovid-19 het nie. Die opvolgtoets sal nie gedoen word nie, maar die Wes-Kaapse Regering Gesondheid kan ‘n brief uitreik om te bevestig dat ‘n persoon geskik is vir werk na hierdie bogenoemde periode van isolasie.
Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Town Clinic,Plettenberg Bay
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za
Weekly update on the Coronavirus by the Garden Route District Municipality Command Centre
For Immediate Release 7 June 2020
The Garden Route has recorded seven (7) COVID-19 deaths to date – three in George, one in Mossel Bay, two in Knysna and one in Hessequa. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all family members and friends of the deceased and we continue to keep them in our prayers. Since 31 May 2020, the Garden Route has recorded 57 new COVID-19 positive cases – a total of 155 Garden Routers have now recovered from the virus.
Today, 7 June 2020 is day 7 of the National Alert Level 3 COVID-19 Lockdown, day 82 of the GRDM District Covid -19 Command Centre activation and day 84 of the National Disaster Declaration. Please note that on Friday, 5 June 2020, the National State of Disaster Declaration was extended to the 15th of July 2020.
Top (fltr): Cllr Memory Booysen (Executive Mayor of Garden Route District Municipality, Mr Monde Stratu (GRDM Municipal Manager). Second row (fltr): Mr Gerhard Otto (Head of GRDM Disaster Management Centre and Command Centre Chairperson, Dr Terence Marshall (Cluster lead: Health), Mr Johan Compion (Cluster lead: Municipal Health), Ms Melanie Wilson (Cluster Lead: Business, Economy and Tourism). Bottom row (fltr): Mr Ettienne Terblanche (Cluster lead: Security), Ms Una Pietersen (Cluster lead: Social Services), Mr Thys Harmse (Cluster lead: Education), Mr James Robb (Cluster lead: Transport) and Mr Herman Pieters (Cluster lead: Communication).
The following list of actions/important matters discussed over the past week
The Red Dot Taxi service to be used to transport people to quarantine as well as isolation facilities will be in operation from next week;
SASSA indicated that in terms of the Covid-19 R350-00 grant, they had received 6 million applications and of these 2,7 million were processed and approved. These payments should be done before the end of this month;
All Western Cape schools were re-opened on Monday 01 June 2020 for the return of grade 7 and grade 12 learners;
It has been verified that businesses with on-consumption liquor licences would be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages for take-away purposes only. This has to happen between 9h00 -17h00 from Mondays-Thursdays only;
From this week the GRDM Executive Mayor, Cllr Memory Booysen will be allowed to attend a high-level feedback meeting with Cabinet on Tuesdays and Fridays;
The District Executive Mayor expressed his concerns and the concerns of businesses regarding the delay in re-opening of the George, Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay as well as Bitou airports.
Social Development in the Western Cape reported that to date they delivered 37 287 of the 50 000 food parcels the past week;
All municipalities were advised to implement special arrangements to ensure the continuation of essential service delivery.
COVID-19 Statistics from a week back compared to today, 7 June 2020.
Cases (31/05)
Recoveries (31/05)
Cases (07/06)
Recoveries (0706)
Bitou
17
11
15 (+2)
14 (+3)
George
72
24
105 (+33)
50
Hessequa
13
9
13
10 (+1)
Kannaland
1
All recovered
1
All recovered
Knysna
51
26
69 (+18)
44 (+18)
Mossel Bay
29
23
34 (+5)
28 (+5)
Oudtshoorn
11
4
17 (+6)
8 (+4)
Totals
194
98
254 (+60)
155 (+57)
Public Health and Hygiene interventions
Cloth Masks
We note the new advice issued by the World Health Organisation on the use of cloth masks. The organisation now advises that people should wear masks in public places like on public transport and in places where social distancing may be hard such as in grocery shops, schools and in places of worship.
Please ensure that your masks are clean and worn correctly, which includes only touching them by the straps when putting them on and taking them off, and sanitising hands before and after this.
Cloth masks should not be seen as the only line of defense against this virus and must always be used in conjunction with good hygiene, hand washing and social distancing must always be adhered to.
Healthcare workers
The Western Cape Department of Health is currently conducting a recruitment drive for healthcare professionals such as doctors and nurses, to take up temporary posts during the COVID-19 period. Qualified healthcare professionals who are interested in taking up temporary employment during the peak, can find more information on the work, and the application processes.
Advice for home-based recovery
Most people will recover from COVID-19 and experience only mild symptoms. The province’s new risk adjusted testing strategy means that healthy people under 55 will not be able to be tested in the metro region.
The following groups of people who are experiencing symptoms will be tested: healthcare workers, those over the age of 55, those in hospitals or in old aged homes, those under the age of 55 with comorbidities including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, TB, chronic lung disease and HIV with poor ARV adherence.
This strategy is in place because of the national backlog in testing and will prioritise those groups of people who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying. This system will ensure that those who need testing most are prioritised over young, healthy individuals.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as a fever, a sore throat, or a cough, and are young, fit and healthy, you should act as if you have Covid-19.
If you are able to self-isolate at home, you will need to move to a separate room or area of the house, where you have no contact with anyone else.
If you live with other people, one healthy person can act as your caregiver. This person should leave food for you at the door of your room, and regularly clean surfaces.
Use a dedicated set of items such as cups, plates, cutlery and towels for yourself. Dispose of any waste carefully by placing it in two bags and keeping it separately for five days before putting out for collection. Ensure you wash your clothing, towels and cloth masks at a high heat.
You should not leave your home, and should rest, drink lots of fluids, eat healthily and use paracetamol for fever or pain.
If you are unable to do this at home, you will be referred to an isolation or quarantine facility where you will be able to safely complete the isolation period.
If at any stage of your illness, you experience shortness of breath or pain or a sensation of pressure in your chest, you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately.
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases considers a person recovered 14 days after first symptoms are experienced, or 14 days from discharge from hospital for those who have been discharged. It is essential that if you are recovering at home, this 14 day period is observed.
IMPORTANT TOOLS FOR BUSINESSES
Western Cape Government has created the following important tools for businesses to access during the COVID-19 pandemic:
SupportFinder tool which helps businesses navigate and apply for the available financial relief packages,
Tech Volunteers Programme which connects businesses who want to become more digital with industry experts for free two-hour advisory consultations, and
#GoDigitalWC webinars which brings leading experts in digital technology and business transformation to present ideas and advice for SMMEs on how they can adapt and innovate during Covid-19.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
The Western Cape Government has made online resources available for employees and employers which can be accessed here:
On the eve of the commemoration of the 2017 wildfire disaster which ripped through Knysna and Plettenberg Bay like a blow torch, Cobus Meiring, on behalf of the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI) and the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF), asked Knysna Municipality’s Environmental Manager, Pam Booth, about her thoughts on the environmental recovery of the natural environment of the surrounding towns.
Says Booth, “The natural surrounds of both Knysna and Plettenberg Bay reflect what is true of most of the Southern Cape landscape, and that is the sad fact that it is severely affected by invasive alien plants.”
“It is common knowledge that the prevalence of impressive densities of invasive alien plants provided the biofuel that turned the wildfire into the inferno it became, generating heat so incomprehensible that everything in the path of the fires was obliterated.”
Continues Booth, “At the time, there were justified fears that, given the intense heat which the wildfire exerted on the landscape, that the indigenous seed bank in the ground, which would allow Fynbos species such as Proteas and Ericas to recover, was so badly affected that they will never recover, allowing even more of the beautiful landscape to become infested with invasive alien plants over time.”
“One such example was the invaluable terrain that is harbouring the unique set of plants sustaining the world-famous and endemic Brenton Blue butterfly. As confirmed now, the Brenton Blue is safe and sound, and much is being done by Brenton locals to ensure that invasive alien plants do not encroach on the town, giving indigenous vegetation a chance to recover, whilst reducing fire risk and creating jobs at the same time.”
“Fortunately, the plant species counted in the Southern Cape and Garden Route Fynbos Biome is a hardy species, which by nature are dependent on fire for survival and rejuvenation. Even as conservationists feared for the worst, the Fynbos came back, and after two seasons of favourable rainfall, the hills around Knysna and Brenton are alive with wildflowers of all kinds already standing two meters tall in places,” says Booth.
Regrowth of invasive alien plants poses a threat
According to Booth, the regrowth of invasive alien plants is a matter of great concern.
“It is true that in a great many places where invasive alien plants were present in numbers before the fire, they also grew back with a vengeance. This is a matter of great concern to all, as that may well set the scene for a repeat of the 2017 disaster in the coming years. Government is coming down hard on landowners who defies the laws governing the prevalence of invasive alien plants on their land, and already a number of landowners have received pre-directives and directives to either clear their land or face the court and the penalties associated.”
“Efforts by entities such as the Table Mountain Fund, WWF SA and the Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI) to empower and assist landowners to deal with the regrowth of invasive alien plants did make an impact, and private land bordering river systems such as the Knysna and Goukamma today is in a better state of invasive alien plant infestation than before the wildfire disaster.”
The Garden Route, including Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, is a jewel in South Africa’s crown of scenic tourist destinations. Thousands of jobs and the socio-economic survival of the area are dependent on its natural surrounds.
“Not only is it based on this premise that we implore landowners to manage invasive plants on their land, but also for the sake of biodiversity conservation which is also facing the impact of a changing climate and an ever-increasing human and development footprint,” says Booth.
*Sunday 7 June marks the commemoration of the 2017 Knysna wildfire disaster.
Photo: Fynbos in Brenton
Despite fears that the intensity of the 2017 wildfire disaster destroyed the underground seed bank of indigenous vegetation, Fynbos has made a remarkable recovery in the Garden Route. (Photo: SCLI)
** The Southern Cape Landowners Initiative (SCLI) is a public platform and think tank for landowners and land managers with an interest in invasive alien plant management, water stewardship and land management. SCLI is supported by the Table Mountain Fund (TMF), a subsidiary of WWF SA. SCLI also manages the Secretariat of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).
** The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a regional forum for collaboration in conservation, environmental adaptation and community interaction. The forum aims to coordinate regional conservation efforts, serve as a catalyst to drive climate adaption practices in the Southern Cape and strive to establish a better-coordinated approach to environmental management.
Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council has approved in principle the amendment of the Rules of Order regulating the conduct of meetings By-law, published in the Provincial Gazette No. 6469 of 28 September 2007.
The document was considered by the Garden Route District Municipality at a District Council meeting held on Wednesday 27 May 2020.
The document is be available for public inspection and comments on the Garden Route District Municipality’s website at www.gardenroute.gov.za, from 02 June 2020.
All comments and inputs must be directed to “The Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George, 6530”
The public has 21 days to comment on the aforementioned document from the publication date of this notice.
For any enquiries, please contact the Manager: Integrated Support Services and Legal Compliance, Adv Sinekaya Maqekeni, at 044 803 1383.
While South Africans welcome the phased easing of lockdown restrictions to alert level 3 of the five-tier lockdown system as from Monday 1 June, this action simply means that business as usual continues for those officials who have been working as essential workers during the lockdown period.
Among these are call centre operators of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Disaster Management Emergency Call Centre who work as frontline staff, 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week. These officials provide a supporting function to essential services providers, by answering general inquiries and emergency calls relating to Emergency Medical Services (EMS); accidents, fires and floods in the Garden Route region, and lately to a large extent, COVID-19 inquiries.
The GRDM Call Centre team consists of four (4) permanent and two (2) temporary operators who work 12 hour shifts at a time, dealing with a volume of ± 2700 – 3000 calls per month. The well-trained and professional officials are known to perform their daily operations with high integrity and efficiency, providing accurate and reliable information to clients.
According to Mr Gerhard Otto, Manager of the GRDM Disaster Management Centre, “these officials are our unsung heroes who in these very difficult and uncertain times, are required to provide answers and direction to the Garden Route public whom they serve. The GRDM Covid-19 Command Centre continuously to provide operators with frequently updated information, in order for operators to address a myriad of enquiries directed to them as front-line call centre staff,” said Mr Otto.
The Council and management of the GRDM would like to acknowledge all employees and especially the essential workers who have showed great commitment and endurance during the past lockdown level 5 and 4.
“Public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly. It must be a complete dedication to the people and to the nation.’’ – Margaret Chase Smith
Media Release: Sunday 7 June marks three years after the 2017 Knysna and Bitou wildfire disaster
For Immediate Release
1 June 2020
“The 2017 Knysna wildfire disaster was without a doubt the most devastating of its kind in the history of Southern Africa,” says Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF).”
“With the loss of life and a badly-affected local economy, irreparable damage done to infrastructure, businesses, agriculture, forestry and property running into trillions of rand, the Knysna disaster caused unparalleled ecological havoc in an area of over 20 000 hectares.
As part of an ongoing debate on the correlation between the consequences of COVID-19 and that of climate change, GREF asked Gerhard Otto, Head of the Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre, if the Southern Cape is today better prepared in the event of a repeat of the 2017 wildfire disaster.
“From a preparedness level the Garden Route District Disaster Management Centre, Local Municipalities, nature conservations entities, forestry as well as regional fire protection associations have, as a collective, ramped up capacity to fight wildfire disaster way beyond what was in place in 2017. Aerial firefighting capacity, clearing of fire breaks and upgraded firefighting equipment, all makes for a better-prepared region dealing with regular and intense wildfire scenarios,” says Otto.
7 June 2020 commemorates the 2017 Knysna wildfire disaster, and in many ways the risk of a repeat thereof in the Southern Cape remains.
“The 2017 Knysna wildfire disaster was caused by a perfect storm of climate change, super strong winds, possible human error and the prevalence of large-scale invasive alien plants in the landscape, all of which contributed to the scale and ferocity of the disaster.”
“For instance, in as much as disaster management and firefighting services are better resourced than three years ago, there is still too much invasive alien plants in the landscape that has the potential to provide the biofuel necessary for a repeat of the 2017 wildfire disaster.”
“Landowners, in general, do their best, within their means, to eradicate and control invasive alien plant growth on their land, but the task at hand is a mammoth one, and much more needs to be done in order to achieve a fire-safe environment in the Southern Cape,” says Otto.
“COVID-19 has had a severe and tangible effect on the socio-economic fabric of the Southern Cape and we know that the real challenge the advent of the pandemic is posing, is still nowhere near its true impact. Both COVID-19 and climate change will affect the future of the present-day Southern Cape dramatically. The new normal should no doubt include a rethink of how we manage our environment at all levels, not only for exposure to wildfire risk, but, just as important, the way we manage human settlement, water security and biodiversity conservation.”
“As we commemorate the physical horror of the 2017 Knysna wildfire disaster, and now having to deal with the trauma of COVID-19, all stakeholders and communities in the Southern Cape will have to take hands, develop an understanding of what the future will force upon us, and plan ahead for a safer and more secure region,” concludes Otto.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Gerhard Otto: Head of the Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre Cell: 081 469 9128 Email:gotto@gardenroute.gov.za
Herman Pieters: Senior Communications Officer: Garden Route District Municipality Cell: 081 455 5699 Email:communications@gardenroute.gov.za
Cobus Meiring: Chair of the Garden Route Environmental Forum Secretariat Cell: 083 626 7619 Email:cobus@naturalbridge.co.za
