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25 June 2020 Media Release: George midwife shares her COVID-19 experience

Media Release: George midwife shares her COVID-19 experience

For Immediate Release
25 June 2020

Bleach stains on all her furniture is a stern reminder of Alida Portland’s COVID-19 journey.

Alida (58), a midwife at George Hospital, has survived, with her comorbidities of type 2 diabetes and hypertension. She also had a stroke a year ago. ‘I made it,’ she said.

Delighted to be back at work, Alida shares her COVID-19 journey. “My first symptoms were a sore throat, pressure on my chest and a cough. I immediately had myself tested and went into isolation. The results came two days later. I was positive.”

Her initial reaction was of shock and anxiety. “I was very scared,” says Alida. She lives with her son, 23, who took care of her while he isolated with her as he was one of her close contacts.

“He made sure I had a bucket of clean water, a bucket of water and bleach to clean my hands, and a separate bucket for my eating utensils. He also prepared my food when I did not feel up to the task and brought it on a tray. I felt really ill on day three with immense chest pressure. I was, however, in constant contact with the contact tracing team in George, my manager. and hospital management. Everyone made sure I was being monitored and I really felt that I could press on their button any time of the day.”

Alida says that being in isolation can become lonely. “Loneliness is a big factor during your COVID-19 journey. Two weeks might not seem long, but confined to your bedroom or only certain parts of your home, this can be become a very long and lonely journey. I made sure to be in constant contact with family and friends on WhatsApp. Sadly, we also lost two extended family members due to COVID-19 during my isolation, which was especially difficult for me. Mourning without other family was extremely difficult to go through, but our online counselling support network through government meant I could tap into professional help to assist me during this time,” explains Alida.

When asked what she did to assist her body in healing, she lists eating healthy, drinking enough fluids, getting lots of sunlight, and a positive mindset.

Alida expresses her concern with the behaviour of some members of the public. “People need to realise that COVID-19 can cause serious illness in some, and to protect those people, we need to take all the necessary precautions. We need to change our behaviour.” As someone with comorbidities who had a high risk of severe COVID-19, she urges residents in the Western Cape to protect the vulnerable by practicing social distancing and wearing a mask when they leave their homes.

She laughs when she explains the white bleach stains on all her furniture. “My son was determined to keep all our common areas clean, including parts of furniture I might have touched. This led to white bleach stains on some of our furniture pieces. I had such a laugh – he was the best nurse a nurse could ask for.”

-END-

Photo caption: Alida shares her story.

Contact:

Nadia Ferreira
Principal Communications Officer
Garden Route and Central Karoo Districts
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 044 5333846
Email: Nadia.Ferreira@westerncape.gov.za

Media Release: Supporting the Long Street Kiosks during the COVID-19 crisis

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

Date: 24 June 2019

Release: immediately

Supporting the Long Street Kiosks during the Covid-19 crisis

Businesses in the Western Cape have been hard hit during the Covid-19 crisis, and so we are doing everything we can to support them, especially entrepreneurs of small to medium enterprises and those in the informal sector. On Wednesday (24 June 2020), we handed over a number of small assets and marketing collateral, together with our Covid-19 Business Safety Kits, to some of the businesses operating in the Long Street Kiosks to assist them during this difficult time.

Since 2016, the Long Street Kiosks project has offered 10 Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs) formal trading spaces within the City of Cape Town Central Business District (CBD) so provide them with access to new market opportunities. During Covid-19 these businesses have shown great resilience by diversifying their products to include hand sanitisers and masks or selling their products through e-commerce..

To determine how best we can assist the Long Street Kiosk businesses, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) assessed these businesses’ current challenges and needs. This assessment identified the type of support or intervention needed for each business which included items such as blenders, coffee grinders, fridges and branded marketing materials.

In some cases, the needs identified resulted in DEDAT connecting the businesses with our partner organisations such as Productivity South Africa to provide production layout and manufacturing advice, the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) to assist with marketing and promotional material and an application to finance equipment, the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to provide a knitting production specialist to support one of the beneficiaries and with Clotex to onboard the business as part of the SMME Booster Fund programme.

Zaida Abrahams from Zee Zees Halal Foods expressed her thanks to DEDAT for the donation of a stove, “Currently I can do 36 pies at a time, but this allows me to do 100 pies at a time. So my time will be managed more effectively. I can take on bigger orders, and push out more meals, so this will really help me going forward. Thank you so much.”

While, Nokuthula “Teddy” Luthuli from Smoothie On The Go, also thanked DEDAT for the donation of an industrial blenders and refrigerator, adding that “these things that we’re getting today will definitely help us a lot going forward.”

Entrepreneurs in the Western Cape have shown great resilience during the Covid-19 crisis, and we remain fully committed to supporting them to open up safely and responsibly during the Covid-19 crisis.

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Tel: 021 483 4327 / Cell: 071 087 5150 / Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

 

23 June 2020 Media Release: Fencing subsidies available – call for applications

Media Release: Fencing subsidies available – call for applications

For Immediate Release
23 June 2020

On an annual basis, Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) provides fencing subsidies for a selected number of landowners on neighbouring provincial rural roads with fencing of their properties.

This is subject to a budget as received from the Western Cape Government.

The funding is only applicable on a subsidy basis, meaning that a 60% subsidy will be contributed towards a landowner’s material costs for fencing. The subsidy will therefore be determined by an average cost for material. The material is deemed as 60% of total cost. Labour cost is deemed as 40% of the total cost and must be carried by the applicant. All initial costs must be carried by the applicant and a subsidy will be paid out to successful applicant after the completion of the fence. For more information refer to the Fencing Subsidy Policy of GRDM.

The new fences must adhere to the specifications of the Western Cape Government Roads Infrastructure Department. Minimum specifications will be made available to successful applicants.

Application process

  1. Application forms can be obtained from Mr Qamani Nkebana at the Roads Transport & Planning Department. Contact numbers at the office is 044 803 1500 or 1506 or email qamani@gardenroute.gov.za.
  2. Application period: 24 June 2020 to 10 July 2020.
  3. Applications will be audited and evaluated according to risk analysis by a panel. Risk factors include the following: status of road, traffic count, operating speed of vehicles, type of farming, condition of current fence, etc.
  4. The panel outcome will be decided by 14 August 2020. All applicants will be informed. A fencing subsidy contract will be signed with successful applicants. Unsuccessful applicants can apply again in the next financial year.
  5. All fences must be fully completed by 11 December 2021 for payment before 28 February 2021.
  6. Payment will be done after an inspection and an approval for the fence has been made.

Relevant Documents 

Media Release: Special Adjustment Budget – Tie to deliver on promises made

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 23 June 2020

Release: Immediately

 Special Adjustment Budget – Time to deliver on promises made

Tomorrow (24 June 2020), the Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, will table a special adjustment budget in Parliament, which we hope will provide clarity on the scale of national government’s financial support for the fight against Covid-19 in the Western Cape.

During the opening of the Hospital of Hope, our Covid-19 field hospital at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), on 5 June 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa made it clear that “cost is not the issue” when it came to the fight against Covid-19 in the Western Cape.

Provinces are on the frontline of the fight against Covid-19, providing the immediate healthcare response requirements, including hospitalisation and quarantine and isolation facilities.

Since the start of the crisis, R1.65 billion has been committed towards Covid-19 related expenditure across government in the Western Cape.  We have made a huge effort to reprioritise expenditure, within the existing budget, to support the fight against Covid-19 in the Western Cape.

However, despite significant reprioritisation, and commitment of reserves, financial support from national government will be required to support the fight against Covid-19 in the Western Cape.

Tomorrow, we hope the Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni,  will use the special adjustments budget to deliver on the promises made by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Hospital of Hope in Cape Town.

 Notes for media: 

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Cell: 071 087 5150 / Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

27/06/2020 Severe Weather Alert

The Cape Town Weather Services has issued the following severe weather alert:

Hazard: High Seas
Alert Level: Advisory
Valid From (SAST): 27/06/20 00h00
Valid To (SAST): 27/06/20 00h00

High seas with wave heights between 6 and 9m are expected between Lamberts Bay and Plettenberg Bay on Saturday (27/05/2020).

Description: Storm surges / High Seas

Generally heavy seas or damaging waves are a result of strong winds blowing over a large area called a fetch combined with low-pressure systems. Long period swells are often very dangerous to tankers as they may literally snap them in half. Dangerous waves or surges may also be caused by storm surges and tsunami’s resulting in widespread coastal damage and loss of life.

In oceanography, a sea state is the general condition of the free surface on a large body of water—with respect to wind waves and swell—at a certain location and moment. A sea state is characterized by statistics, including the wave height, period, and power spectrum. The sea state varies with time, as the wind conditions or swell conditions change.

Precautions: Storm surges / High Seas

Ships should “idle” into the swell and wind so that the bow of the ship always faces the oncoming swell. If in a small sailing vessel reduce the sail area and steer into the oncoming swell. If along the shore-line stay well back from the highest high water mark as Secure all hatches, doors, windows and ports. Secure all loose items in the interior.
Pump the bilge’s dry and keep pumping them dry at regular intervals. Stow away all loose gear and lash down any large items that cannot be stowed. Break out your life preservers and inform your crew that everyone will be putting them on well in advance of their necessity.
Break out emergency gear like flares and first aid kit, sea anchor, safety harnesses, etc.
Check your position and update your course as plotted on your chart. Prepare alternative routes to more protected areas. If you think you will be in for relatively long haul prepare some hot soup, coffee or stew freak waves may run up beyond the normal high water mark.

If the sea recedes exposing rock and sea bed normally not exposed immediately seek higher ground at least 50m above your current position. Do not try swimming or fishing or other marine recreation during these events. Only extremely experienced surfers will temp their fate under these conditions.

Listen to the radio or TV for warnings and obey the instructions from disaster management officers.

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

22 June 2020

As of 1pm on 22 June, the Western Cape has 13 969 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 51 351 confirmed cases and 35 958 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 51 351
Total recoveries 35 958
Total deaths 1424
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 13 969
Tests conducted 271 793
Hospitalisations 1546 with 318 in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 4660 3403
Southern 4634 3414
Northern 3300 2382
Tygerberg 7068 5314
Eastern 4584 3313
Klipfontein 5325 3893
Mitchells Plain 4521 3346
Khayelitsha 5807 4645
Total 39899 29710

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 34 17
Garden Route Knysna 118 71
Garden Route George 325 128
Garden Route Hessequa 20 17
Garden Route Kannaland 3 2
Garden Route Mossel Bay 107 42
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 37 15
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 808 495
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 2131 1329
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 1086 599
Cape Winelands Langeberg 281 96
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 546 371
Overberg Overstrand 410 184
Overberg Cape Agulhas 35 24
Overberg Swellendam 34 16
Overberg Theewaterskloof 300 155
West Coast Bergrivier 171 118
​West Coast ​Cederberg 32 11
West Coast Matzikama 40 13
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 437 222
West Coast Swartland 454 231
Central Karoo Beaufort West 9 2

Unallocated: 4034 (2090)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 25 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1424. We send our condolences to their families and friends at this time.

Update on the COVID-19 awareness campaign:

Over the weekend, thousands of posters have been put up across the metro as part of our COVID-19 awareness campaign in our hotspot areas. Posters will continue to go up in the City of Cape Town and in our non-metro regions this week.

About 10 000 of these posters will be erected, forming part of the biggest public awareness campaign on record in the Western Cape. Their message in isiXhosa, English and Afrikaans is that by taking measures to keep ourselves safe such as staying at home, and wearing a mask, we are also able to protect our loved ones and family members who may be more at risk of infection.

Active cases:

The Western Cape currently has almost 14 000 active cases of COVID-19 in the province. The term “active case” refers to a patient who is currently infected. A case is considered closed when a person has recovered, or in the event of a death.

Recoveries significantly outnumber active cases in the province but we must still do everything we can to ensure that we are keeping safe, as those 14 000 people have the potential to infect many more people in their families and communities.

As a province, we are continuously re-assessing the data available to us to give us an indication of when the virus peak will occur. These models are predictions based on the best available data at the time, and it is impossible to pinpoint exactly when this will happen but by taking additional care now, and managing the number of active cases, we can help to slow the spread and help to save lives.

Our active case management strategy has focused on:

Screening and referral for testing of vulnerable people and households

Screening in old aged homes

Strengthening of our telephonic follow up of positive cases and contacts system

Referring residents to isolation and quarantine sites where self- isolation is not possible or viable

Early identification of high-risk cases for active case management.

Members of the public can contribute to reducing active cases by:

-Staying home as much as possible to avoid becoming infected, especially if you fall into one of the risk groups

-Practicing hygiene and social distancing

-Wearing a mask

-Avoiding gatherings

-Staying home if you feel ill

-Taking up isolation and quarantine in one of our facilities if you are not able to do this at home or run the risk of infecting loved ones living with you

Businesses re-opening:

This week, a number of personal care businesses which have not been able to trade for the duration of the lockdown will begin to trade again.

Many of these business owners and the people they employ have been significantly impacted by the lock down. Being able to trade again will help to ease the financial burden they have been suffering under, and give people the opportunity to start earning money to feed their families again.

While this is important for so many business owners and families across the province, we must not forget that we are still in the midst of a pandemic which has had, and will continue to have very serious consequences for many people. More sectors will also be coming online soon and I would like to make an appeal to these businesses to always act with the best interests of their clientele and their staff at heart and abide by the restrictions and regulations put in place to ensure maximum safety.

This means ensuring that facilities are available for hand washing or sanitizing and that surfaces are regularly cleaned to avoid your business becoming an infection site. You also need to make sure that you carefully manage the number of people on your business premises at any given time to allow for social distancing.

Customers must also act responsibly by wearing a mask and to stay at home if they feel unwell, rather than putting people at risk when frequenting any of these businesses or services. If you encounter businesses which are not complying with safety regulations, you can report them here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-business-safety-complaint-form

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

21 June 2020

As of 1pm on 21 June, the Western Cape has 13 109 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 50 067 confirmed cases and 35 559 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 50 067
Total recoveries 35 559
Total deaths 1399
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 13 109
Tests conducted 268 268

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 4566 3377
Southern 4555 3363
Northern 3250 2379
Tygerberg 6990 5306
Eastern 4407 3245
Klipfontein 5267 3849
Mitchells Plain 4466 3323
Khayelitsha 5724 4624
Total 39225 29466

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 33 17
Garden Route Knysna 116 71
Garden Route George 289 122
Garden Route Hessequa 20 15
Garden Route Kannaland 3 2
Garden Route Mossel Bay 104 38
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 37 15
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 765 488
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 2049 1315
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 1047 593
Cape Winelands Langeberg 260 96
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 534 369
Overberg Overstrand 382 184
Overberg Cape Agulhas 35 24
Overberg Swellendam 33 16
Overberg Theewaterskloof 286 155
West Coast Bergrivier 164 116
​West Coast ​Cederberg 29 11
West Coast Matzikama 37 13
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 397 218
West Coast Swartland 431 225
Central Karoo Beaufort West 11 2

Unallocated: 3780 (1988 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 26 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1399. We send our condolences to their families and friends at this time.

Red Dot Taxi Service Update:

The Red Dot Taxi Service, implemented by the Departments of Transport and Public Works and Health as part of our hotspot strategy, has since its launch on 18 May, transported approximately 12000 healthcare workers working at 15 healthcare facilities, over a distance of 150 000 km.

The Western Cape Government has partnered with the local taxi industry to create a fleet of almost 200 Red Dot taxis. The service provides safe transport home for an average of 450 healthcare workers each evening. The taxis observe strict hygiene and social distancing protocols, which include a screen between the driver and passengers, sanitizing of the vehicle between each trip, compulsory wearing of masks and only carrying half of the vehicle capacity.

The Red Dot taxis also transport people to and from the Western Cape Government’s isolation and quarantine facilities. Since launching at the end of May, this service has transported approximately 1 1100 people.

Our healthcare workers are incredibly important in the fight against COVID-19 and this service is one additional way in which we are working to protect them. We can also help to reduce the spread of the virus by ensuring that people traveling to our isolation and quarantine facilities, do so in designated vehicles.

Courage on the frontlines:

Today, I would  like to acknowledge the healthcare workers and staff of Ward C13 at Groote Schuur Hospital. This team of high care staff had to care for one of their own colleagues, Sister June Anita Richards, who became ill after contracting COVID-19.

Sister Richards was admitted to the very same high care ward she has worked in for 20 years, earlier this month, where she was treated using high flow nasal oxygen which was recently introduced as an alternative to ventilation at the hospital.

Sister Richards was discharged from hospital last week. We wish her well on her road to full recovery and thank all of the doctors, nurses and hospital staff who contributed to her recovery.

The team of C13 are among thousands of heroes who are fighting COVID-19 on the front lines. I would also like to thank all of the healthcare workers and hospital staff who have played such a major role in the province’s response to COVID-19, whose courage, commitment and care are helping to save lives. On behalf of the Western Cape Government and the residents of this province, I thank you all for your service.

Preparing for the peak:

Some epidemiological models, including the National Covid-19 Epi Model (NCEM) which is relied on by the national government for forecasting, have estimated that the province will experience its peak soon. While we cannot pinpoint the exact date at which we will reach this peak, we are experiencing increased pressure in our hospitals. At the same time, the economy is opening up further, with personal care services re-opening this weekend and other sectors expected to open soon. Now is therefore the time to be extra vigilant to slow the spread.

Precautions you can take to protect yourself and your loved ones:

  • Regular handwashing and hygiene measures which include coughing into your elbow or a tissue, regular cleaning of surfaces at home or at work, and not touching your face.
  • Stay at home whenever possible. Do not go to places where groups of people gather unless necessary. Do not visit family or friends to socialise as this could put everyone at risk.
  • Always keeping a distance of at least 1.5 metres between yourself and any other person when you are not at home. This includes in the workplace, in queues, on public transport or anywhere where people gather.
  • Wearing a clean, cloth mask whenever you leave home. Wearing your mask correctly and at all times, not only protects you but can prevent you from making others sick.
  • Stay at home if you feel sick.
  • Seek medical care if you experience shortness of breath
  • If you are over the age of 55 or you have an underlying illness, you are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill or dying. It is therefore important that you take extra precautions and stay home wherever possible.
  • Those who are healthy should assist those at higher risk with tasks like shopping or errands that require them to leave the house.

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

20 June 2020

As of 1pm on 20 June, the Western Cape has 12 277 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 48 806 confirmed cases and 35 156 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 48 806
Total recoveries 35 156
Total deaths 1373
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 12 277
Tests conducted 264 051
Hospitalisations 1597 with 304 in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 4483 3341
Southern 4479 3326
Northern 3180 2349
Tygerberg 6849 5252
Eastern 4307 3203
Klipfontein 5187 3814
Mitchells Plain 4398 3291
Khayelitsha 5662 4595
Total 38545 29171

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 31 17
Garden Route Knysna 107 71
Garden Route George 268 117
Garden Route Hessequa 18 15
Garden Route Kannaland 3 2
Garden Route Mossel Bay 93 38
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 35 15
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 724 475
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 2009 1282
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 1001 585
Cape Winelands Langeberg 222 91
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 515 368
Overberg Overstrand 345 183
Overberg Cape Agulhas 33 24
Overberg Swellendam 28 16
Overberg Theewaterskloof 268 154
West Coast Bergrivier 161 106
​West Coast ​Cederberg 27 11
West Coast Matzikama 37 13
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 379 217
West Coast Swartland 415 218
Central Karoo Beaufort West 6 2

Unallocated: 3536 (1965 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 64 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 1373. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Recoveries:

With over 35 000 recorded recoveries, the Western Cape has now achieved a recovery rate of 72%. Khayelitsha, which has the second highest number of reported cases in the province, now has an 81% recovery rate- the highest recovery rate in the metro. The Tygerberg sub-district which has the highest number of infections in the province, has a recovery rate of 76% while Klipfontein which has the third highest number of infections, has a 73% recovery rate.

The Western Cape uses the National Institute of Communicable Diseases definition of recovery which classifies a person as recovered 14 days after the first day of symptoms. For patients who have been hospitalised, recovery is calculated 14 days after discharge from hospital. This definition of recovery does not require a person to test negative for the virus because the virus can still be detected for some time after a person has recovered. After 14 days, a patient is no longer infectious and the case is no longer considered active.

Hospitalisations:

Most people will be able to recover at home, without the need for hospital care, especially if they are young and healthy. Our data however has shown that age and underlying including diabetes and high blood pressure present the greatest risk for becoming seriously ill or dying. We are moving closer to our peak and we are starting to see increased hospitalisations in the province- with 1597 people currently hospitalised and 302 of these in ICU.

People who fall into vulnerable groups must take additional precautions to protect themselves- staying at home as much as possible, being vigilant about hygiene such as handwashing and cleaning of surfaces, and wearing a mask and keeping a distance of 1.5 metres if they must go out.

We can help protect our loved ones and other vulnerable people by:

-Regular hand washing

-Avoiding gatherings

-Staying at home as much as possible, especially if you feel unwell or you’re experiencing any symptoms

-Keeping a distance of 1.5 metres between yourself and any other person in public

-Wearing a clean, cloth mask when out in public. Masks must be worn correctly, covering the nose and mouth and must be put on and removed by the straps, with clean hands

Media Release: EPWP essential workers to assist at Covid-19 hotspots in the Garden Route

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) as a member of the National Joints (NatJoints) Committee, has to respond to combating the spread of COVID-19 in terms of the Disaster Management Act, No 57 of 2002, as stipulated in the NatJoints Containment Work Stream.

The DPWI has identified the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Non-State Sector (NSS) Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) as the best response mechanism to support the Department of Health to deliver necessary public health services at elementary level for purposes of COVID-19 spread prevention and control. To give effect to this commitment, DPWI has signed a three month addendum with the Independent Development Trust, on 12 April 2020, to contract qualifying NPOs throughout the country in 44 districts and 8 metros, to appoint youth (16-35 years) to participate in this initiative. The NPOs will also be required to sign three month contracts with each EPWP participant. The Garden Route district was allocated 119 participants for the first category of the COVID-19 response (George 41, Hessequa 23, Mossel Bay 15, Oudtshoorn 12, Bitou 10, Knysna 10 and Kannaland 8).

All participants will perform their duties under the supervision of the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM). Their activities will include the following:

  • health promotion on COVID-19 prevention, hand washing practices and social distancing measures in public places;
  • distribution of hygiene soap and hand sanitizers in identified high risk communities, education on proper handwashing techniques;
  • home-to-home education interventions, where required; and
  • cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched high-risk areas, e.g. communal water collection points, taxi ranks and other places identified by the applicable municipality.

Furthermore the DPWI has issued Personal Protective Equipment and identification cards to the NPOs which must be used by participants while they are on duty.

GRDM EHPs had to identify the hotspots within the Local Municipal areas and guide the participants through an orientation programme to outline their work.

The orientation/ training programme

 The Municipal Health Section of the GRDM was tasked to train the EPWP personnel in line with the Golden rules to prevent/minimise the spread of COVID-19 in the district. The training programme took place at the beginning of June 2020 and included the following disciplines:

  • Wearing of face masks in public areas and while travelling with other individuals in a vehicle (i.e. lift clubs, taxi, bus and/or any other form of public transport);
  • maintaining a social distance of 1.5m;
  • proper hand washing techniques;
  • avoid touching your face with unwashed hands;
  • proper cough etiquette;
  • waste management (i.e. disposable masks and gloves); and
  • avoiding crowded places as far as it is possible.

After undergoing orientation, appointed EPWP participants will conduct awareness at “hotspots” areas which were identified as problematic areas within communities to ensure that all members of the public remain adequately informed to protect themselves.

These “hotspots” areas include;

  • general public facilities, including municipal/ public toilets, taxi ranks etc.;
  • food premises – spaza shops;
  • soup kitchens;
  • informal settlements; and
  • government grant pay points – ATM’s, post offices and/or any other business premises which are utilised to distribute grants.
EPWP workers trained by GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners to assist at hotspots within the Garden Route district.

Executive Mayor of GRDM, Cllr Memory Booysen, extended a word of appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the programme and highlighted: “As a municipality we are glad for the appointment of the EPWP personnel, as all participants will be a great addition to the initiatives of the GRDM in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic”.

The following stakeholders are involved in the coordination of this project; DPWI, Independent Development Trust, NPOs Edu-Plett and God Care International, Department of Employment and Labour, GRDM and Local Municipalities in the Garden Route district.

For more information regarding the project, contact,

Mr Mzimkulu Gusha, National Public Works Programme Manager

Tel: 021 402 2164 / 076 423 7558

Mr Richard Dyantyi, Manager: EPWP at Garden Route District Municipality

Tel: 044 803 1404 / 084 900 5556

Mr Johan Compion, Manager: Municipal Health at Garden Route District Municipality

Tel: 044 803 1525 / 082 803 5161

22 June 2020 Invitation to participate in the Household Composting Pilot Project: Bitou and Oudtshoorn Municipalities

Garden Route District Municipality, in collaboration with Bitou and Oudtshoorn Municipalities, will roll out a Household Composting Pilot Project in the Bitou and Oudtshoorn municipal areas.  Approximately 30% of household waste being disposed of at landfill consists of organic waste that could potentially be diverted from landfill by means of household composting.  Further, household composting could subsequently result in a huge waste management cost saving and put sorely needed nutrients back into our soil.

The pilot project will run for the duration of one year and the data collected will be used to motivate the further roll out of the project to all households in the Bitou and Oudtshoorn municipal areas.  Permanent residents in the Bitou and Oudtshoorn areas are invited to apply for participation in the pilot project.

It must be noted that provision was made to accommodate only thirty (30) households per municipality in the pilot project who will be provided with a composting bin, and / or a worm farm, a scale and data sheets.  Due to the limited number, the first thirty applications per municipality received will be selected to participate in the project.

All applicants must conform to the following criteria:

  • Must reside permanently in the Bitou or Oudtshoorn municipal areas for the duration of the pilot project (at least one year).
  • Must attend an information session regarding the composting project that will be held in Bitou and in Oudtshoorn respectively. (This may be an online / virtual session due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
  • Must be willing to participate in the pilot project and report organic waste quantities on a monthly basis for the duration of the pilot project (one year).
  • Composting bins will only be distributed to households with a garden / lawn generating green waste.
  • Households / apartments that do not have gardens / yards i.e. that generate green waste can be provided with only a worm farm for kitchen scraps etc.

Application forms to participate in the pilot project can be obtained from the following link: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/document-category/application-forms/.

Completed application forms must be sent to wayne@gardenroute.gov.za by no later than Friday 10 July 2020.

For any enquiries please contact  Mr Wayne Odendaal on 044 693 0006.