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Media Release: Open George Airport under Alert Level 3 to save businesses and jobs

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 03 June 2020

Release: Immediately

Open George Airport under Alert Level 3 to save businesses and jobs

George Airport has not been listed as one of the airports permitted to open to receive business travellers and cargo under Alert Level 3. Considering the significant role this airport plays in providing access to the Garden Route District for many business travellers across South Africa, this is bad for business at a time when we should be doing everything we can to open the economy safely and responsibly in the Western Cape.

The average number of passengers through the George Airport prior to the Covid-19 lockdown was around 55 000 passengers per month, of which approximately 40 per cent were business travellers.

Across the Garden Route District there are many business professionals who commute weekly via air travel to their places of work. Many of these business professionals are engineers and tradesmen who need to visit worksites at important business nodes in the Garden Route District, such as the Port of Mossel Bay where Total’s offshore oil and gas project is located.

There are also various other aviation and logistics service providers which operate from George Airport and who currently cannot charter or provide air freight services to their clients across the country. Similarly, given the number of business travellers that the George area normally receives, the continued closure of the George Airport will mean that numerous accommodation businesses will not be able to benefit from being allowed to open under Alert Level 3.

Businesses in George and the Greater Knysna region are heavily dependent on business travellers having access via the George Airport. To not allow the airport to open during Alert Level 3 will mean continued hardship with likely job losses and business closures as a result. We believe these negative impacts can be prevented if the George Airport is allowed to open swiftly.

And so, I have written to the Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, to request an urgent re-consideration of this decision.

We will continue to work hard to support business, and back business so that we can save jobs and save the economy in the Western Cape.

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

 

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

2 June 2020

As of 1pm on 2 June, the Western Cape has 10 097 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 23 095 confirmed cases and 12 436 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 23095
Total recoveries 12436
Total deaths 562
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 10 097
Tests conducted 160 448
Hospital admissions 992 of which 179 are in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 2131 1268
Southern 2499 1247
Northern 1296 763
Tygerberg 3295 2058
Eastern 2112 1138
Klipfontein 2729 1448
Mitchells Plain 2141 1210
Khayelitsha 2835 1798
Total 19038 12436

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 16 12
Garden Route Knysna 50 32
Garden Route George 83 29
Garden Route Hessequa 12 9
Garden Route Kannaland 2 1
Garden Route Mossel Bay 33 26
Garden Route Oudsthoorn 11 6
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 229 93
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 744 243
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 303 62
Cape Winelands Langeberg 32 6
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 263 216
Overberg Overstrand 67 34
Overberg Cape Agulhas 10 2
Overberg Swellendam 11 7
Overberg Theewaterskloof 67 22
West Coast Bergrivier 47 24
​West Coast ​Cederberg 4 0
West Coast Matzikama 6 1
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 97 22
West Coast Swartland 22
     97  
Central Karoo Beaufort West 2 1

Unallocated: 1871 (624 recovered)

Additional data can be found on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 41 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 562. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Vulnerable groups:

The Western Cape Government has conducted another review of all of the comorbidities associated with COVID-19 deaths in the province. When the data review was done on 26 May, the province had recorded 403 deaths- with the majority of these having one or more comorbidities.

The data has revealed that the top three co-morbidities per age group were:

Top three comorbidities per age group:

  • 20 – 39 years (30% diabetes, 25% HIV, 20% Hypertension)
  • 40 – 49 years (51% diabetes, 33% HIV, 28% Hypertension)
  • 50 – 59 years (70% Diabetes, 63% Hypertension, 27% HIV)

The most prevalent co-morbidities in deaths due to COVID-19 across all age groups were diabetes and hypertension.

The majority of people who contract COVID-19 will experience mild symptoms and will be able to isolate and recover at home. However, those who are over the age of 55 or with underlying health conditions are most at risk of becoming seriously ill. This is why our health response must place a special focus on these groups, and why our testing strategy must align with this risk.

The country has now moved to alert level 3, which poses increased risk of infection as there will be more people moving around. That is why it is very important that those who falls into one of the vulnerable groupings, continue to take extra care in order to protect themselves. Staying at home will always be the single most important step you can take to protect yourself and we encourage all of those who do fall into these groups to remain at home as much as possible. The golden rules of hygiene, social distancing and wearing a mask are also important prevention steps.

For those who do not fall into these groups, you still have a responsibility to help protect both yourself and those around you who may fall into these groups. You can help by offering to help those in vulnerable groups- shopping for groceries, going to the pharmacy or running errands so that they do not go out into public. You can also help by ensuring that you are abiding by the golden rules at all times.

Recoveries:

Over 12 400 people have recovered from COVID-19 in the Western Cape. Among these recoveries, we celebrate the recovery of Ndumiso Mavimbela of Delft who has been released from Tygerberg last week after a 32-day stay which also included time on a ventilator and in the ICU. Mr Mavimbela falls into one of the risk groups, having recently been diagnosed with hypertension. His story is one of hope and we wish him well as he continues on his road to recovery. I would also like to thank the Tygerberg hospital team who provided him with the excellent medical care that helped him to recover.

Khayelitsha temporary hospital:

Yesterday, a temporary hospital built by Medicins Sans Frontiers in Khayelitsha, in collaboration with the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape Government opened its doors. Today, the hospital accepted its first patients for treatment. This hospital will allow for people from the nearby community to receive care and will work closely with the Khayelitsha hospital. We send our wishes to the patients and to the healthcare workers who are providing them with care.

2 June 2020 Amendment of the Rules of Order regulating the Conduct of Meetings By-Law

FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

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.

MG STRATU

MUNICIPAL MANAGER

GARDEN ROUTE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY

Notice Number:  26/2020

2 June 2020 GRDM Disaster Management Call Centre Operators play their part during lockdown

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: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

1 June 2020

As of 1pm on 1 June, the Western Cape has 10 135 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 22 087 confirmed cases and 11 431 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 22 087
Total recoveries 11431
Total deaths 521
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 10 135
Tests conducted 160 448
Hospital admissions 958 of which 181 are in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 2046 1174
Southern 2375 1108
Northern 1196 699
Tygerberg 3143 1917
Eastern 1955 1011
Klipfontein 2590 1327
Mitchells Plain 2013 1113
Khayelitsha 2673 1661
Total 17991 10010

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 17 11
Garden Route Knysna 52 26
Garden Route George 79 25
Garden Route Hessequa 12 9
Garden Route Kannaland 2 1
Garden Route Mossel Bay 32 24
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 11 4
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 214 76
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 690 198
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 295 56
Cape Winelands Langeberg 34 6
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 253 205
Overberg Overstrand 50 29
Overberg Cape Agulhas 10 2
Overberg Swellendam 13 7
Overberg Theewaterskloof 70 17
West Coast Bergrivier 42 21
​West Coast ​Cederberg 5 0
West Coast Matzikama 4 0
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 94 19
West Coast Swartland 86 31
Central Karoo Beaufort West 3 1

Unallocated: 2028 (653 recovered)

Additional data can be found on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 33 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 521. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Premier Alan Winde and National Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize on site at the CTICC hospital

National Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize visits the Western Cape:

Today, National Health Minister Zweli Mkhize visited the province to see our preparations for the peak of the COVID-19 curve. During the visit, he was able to see the CTICC hospital which will provide over 850 beds for CVOID-19 positive patients. He was also able to see the now complete 60 bed Khayelitsha temporary hospital which has been built by Medicins Sans Frontiers at the City of Cape Town’s Thusong Centre, and which will be operated in conjunction with the Department of Health in the province, giving care to COVID-19 positive patients in the area.

Minister Mkhize was also able to see the quarantine and isolation facility which has been sponsored by Old Mutual as well as the Brackengate site where work is currently underway on a 300 bed temporary hospital.

We were also able to brief Minister Mkhize on our hotspot plan and had the opportunity to discuss some of the risks in the system, such as the backlog in testing as a result of the NHLS backlogs and shortages of testing kits and reagents required for testing.

We are working closely with the National Department of Health ensuring that all of the nuts and bolts of our response are in place and that our approaches are aligned.

These sites are part of our ongoing preparations to ensure that at the peak, which is expected at the end of June, beginning of July in the Western Cape, we are able to offer care to those that require it.

Premier Winde meets with 200 nurses undergoing orientation at CTICC hospital:

Today, I had the opportunity to briefly address 200 nurses who are undergoing orientation training to work at the CTICC hospital. I would like to take this opportunity to again thank all of the nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers who have stepped up to the frontline. We are grateful for your commitment, your care and your work ethic and we thank you for the role you have played in the province thus far, and for the role you will continue to play going forward.

Alcohol sales:

From early this morning we have seen long queues forming around liquor stores across the country as alcohol sales have been re-opened. During the lockdown period, when alcohol sales were banned, we saw a significant dip in the number of people visiting emergency and trauma units. We will be keeping a close eye on the situation as alcohol is responsible for many harms in our communities, including violence, abuse, and road accidents. All of these have the potential to result in increased pressure on our hospital facilities. Western Cape residents must adhere to all of the rules of sale, and, if we find that alcohol is not used responsibly, and there is an associated increase in trauma cases at our hospitals, we will explore the options available to reduce this impact.

The alert level 3 restrictions rely on the people of this province to act with responsibility. This means being responsible when leaving the house and ensuring that we are practicing social distancing, wearing our masks and washing our hands regularly. This also means behaving responsibly by avoiding large gatherings, obeying the regulations which are in place and drinking responsibly so that we are all contributing meaningfully towards the fight against COVD-19 in the province.

Children’s Commissioner:

We would like to warmly welcome Christina Nomdo who started work as the province’s first ever Children’s Commissioner today and wish her well in this new role. Her first day coincides with the start of Child Protection Week in the country which is aimed at highlighting the plight of children in South Africa and the risks that they face in their homes and in their communities. It also coincides with a return to school for some learners in the province following the nationwide lockdown and the lifting of the ban on alcohol sales. For many the return to school is a welcome return to learning, and the regular meals provided by the School Nutrition Programme but we understand that there is still a lot of fear and anxiety for both parents and learners at this time. Alcohol is a driver of violence and as alcohol sales re-open it is up to every single one of us to ensure that children do not become the victims of abuse. The Children’s Commissioner post has been created to give a voice to the children of the Western Cape, and we look forward to working with the Children’s Commissioner to ensure that the issues children are currently facing are researched, understood and advocated for.

1 June 2020 Media Release: Sunday 7 June marks three years after the 2017 Knysna and Bitou wildfire disaster

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

31 May 2020 Weekly update on the Coronavirus by the Garden Route District Municipality Command Centre

Weekly update on the Coronavirus by the Garden Route District Municipality Command Centre

For Immediate Release
31 May 2020

The Garden Route has recorded five (5) COVID-19 deaths to date, 2 in George, 2 in Mossel Bay and 1 in Knysna. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all family members and friends of the deceased and we continue to keep them in our prayers. Since 24 May 2020, the Garden Route has recorded 26 new positive COVID-19 cases – a total of 98 Garden Routers have now recovered from the virus.

The directives relating to Alert Level 3 was issued earlier this week. We are relieved that the Garden Route district was not identified as a hotspot area, although there were articles doing the rounds that indicated otherwise.

Tomorrow, 1 June 2020, the entire country moves to Alert Level 3 which is welcomed as an opportunity to begin to breathe new life into the economy. It is however important that all employers and employees adhere to the critical safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace. Those employees who are able to work from home are urged to do so because by staying home it ensures that those who can’t work from home can return to work safely – this makes it possible for the number of people on public transport and in the workplace to be reduced and for social distancing to be maintained.

Below find a breakdown of the Garden Route District Command Centre cluster feedback for the past week.

HEALTH CLUSTER

HEALTH STATISTICS

Statistics from a week back compared to today, 31 May 2020

Cases
(24/05)		 Recoveries
(24/05)		 Cases
(31/05)		 Recoveries
(31/05)
Bitou 14 6 17 (+3) 11 (+5)
George 55 18 72 (+17) 24 (+6)
Hessequa 12 7 13 (+1) 9 (+2)
Kannaland 1 All recovered 1 (0) All recovered
Knysna 45 17 51 (+6) 26 (+9)
Mossel Bay 31 19 29 (-2) 23 (+4)
Oudtshoorn 10 4 11 (+1) 4 (0)
Totals 168 72 194 (+26) 98 (+26)

STATISTICS RELATING TO UNDERLYING DISEASES IN RELATION TO COVID-19 DEATHS IN THE WESTERN CAPE

Comorbidity Percent of deaths (as at 25 May 2020)
Hypertension 58%
Diabetes 56%
Chronic kidney disease 17%
HIV 16%
Asthma / chronic respiratory disease 15%
Cardiac disease 11%
Obesity 13%
Previous / current TB 13%
Cancer 2%
Other 16%

Stay safe by adopting these prevention strategies

  • Keep hydrated and monitor your blood glucose, blood pressure and temperature.
  • Take your medication correctly as prescribed by your health worker. Make sure that you wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before you touch your meds.
  • If you are a stable patient, then you will get multi-month supplies from the health facility. Do not stop taking your medication unless the health worker tells you to. And never share your medication with anybody.
  • Try to make time to do physical activities for at least 30 minutes a day.
  • Keep your blood sugar levels as normal as possible (<5.5mmol) by eating healthy food. Have small regular meals.
  • Find out what your healthy weight should be.

HEALTH: ESSENTIAL WORKERS

In the Cape Town metro area 204 essential workers receive transport from a total of 77 Red Dot taxi services. The Garden Route district will also see the roll-out of the same service for essential workers from 1 June 2020.

The figures shared on Friday, 29 May 2020 regarding screening are as follows:

Town Screened Referred for testing
Riversdale 486 0
Slangrivier 406 0
Thembalethu 696 14
Bitou 562 2
De Rust 321 0
Dysselsdorp 305 0
Bridgton 884 1

The total number of people screened to date in the Garden Route district stands at 91 955. Of these, 486 have been referred for testing.

HEALTH: QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION FACILITIES

Two people are currently in quarantine and two in isolation at the PetroSA quarantine and isolation facility. There is space for 2092 people in private self-isolation facilities in the Garden Route at the moment

SAFETY AND SECURITY CLUSTER

  • Exercise times have been extended from 06:00 till 18:00, but not for groups.
  • Cross border travel under alert level 4 was allowed for only seven days, clarity has not been provided in terms of how it will work under alert level 3.
  • Attendance of funerals is still the same as it was under alert level 4 for a maximum of 50 allowed.
  • The current regulations indicate that all beaches must remain closed
  • Faith-based gatherings will be allowed on Alert Level 3 for 50 or less people.
  • All exercise centres will remain closed under Alert level 3.
  • Lodges, game reserves, bed and breakfast establishments remain closed except those with tourists and those who provide quarantine and isolation beds and for people who need accommodation for business purposes
  • Tourist attraction places remain closed
  • Liquor will not be allowed for sale from Friday till Sunday or on public holidays.
  • The sale of Tobacco remains prohibited

SOCIAL RELIEF CLUSTER

SOCIAL RELIEF: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Town Applications Received  Applications Assessed  Applications Approved
Oudtshoorn 1249 1249 1135
Kannaland 1501 944 643
George 2777 2267 1813
Knysna 3527 1497 894
Bitou 1136 986 784
Mossel Bay 4188 2104 1142
Hessequa 908 678 412

SOCIAL RELIEF: HOMELESS

The number of homeless people houses at shelters in the Garden Route district stands at 296.

SOCIAL RELIEF: SASSA

All SASSA offices in the Garden Route are operational. The public is reminded that Old Age grants will be paid on 3 June 2020 while Child Care grants will be paid on 5 June 2020.

According to SASSA, 6 million applications for the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant have been received to date. The national minister is expected to provide a breakdown of the applications per province on 1 July 2020.

We appeal to those already receiving social grants not to apply as they are not eligible for the Special Covid-19 SRD Grant. It is only meant to benefit persons who are currently not receiving any form of income support from government. An applicant must be a South African Citizen, a permanent resident or refugee who is registered on the Home Affairs system and living within the borders of the Republic of South Africa.

People can apply in one of three ways:

  • WhatsApp line: 082 046 8553
  • USSD or SMS line: *134*7737#
  • Online: srd@sassa.gov.za

The Garden Route District Command Centre have requested feedback about the R350 Covid-19 relief grant breakdown per ward. Once this information is available it will be shared.

EDUCATION CLUSTER

EDUCATION: SCHOOLS

Teachers have already been back at school and nationwide R50 million worth of Personal Protective Equipment have been purchased and supplied to schools around the country. Garden Route District Municipality’s Environmental Health Practitioners have been actively involved in educating and creating awareness at schools over the past week – view what the GRDM did here.

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND TOURISM CLUSTER

It is important to remember that the more businesses that are able to operate safely during the Alert Level 3, the sooner people can get working again, and the sooner there will be a  move towards an economic recovery in the Garden Route and the Western Cape.

R7 million of business relief funding have been approved for the Garden Route District through Business Partners (Johan Rupert funding), 267 jobs were saved. The Command Centre has requested confirmation in writing as well as break-up per municipal area.

Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA) approvals on the debt relief funds in the Garden Route and Central Karoo stands at R 4 373 391.77 with 16 SMMEs benefiting to date.

Successful applicants:

Area Approved Amount Jobs Sustained
Great Brak River R461 244.00 10
Plettenberg Bay R500 000.00 10
Plettenberg Bay R197 646.00 6
Plettenberg Bay R91 035.00 3
George R212 415.00 2
Plettenberg Bay R395 298.00 6
George R434 699.29 7
Oudtshoorn R132 756.00 3
Sedgefield R356 814.72 3
Karoo R169 257.00 4
Knysna R185 850.00 2
Mossel Bay R127 322.58 2
Mossel Bay R51 510.00 3
George R177 000.00 2
George R460 343.80 17
George R420 200.38 26

BUSINESS, ECONOMY AND TOURISM: GARDEN ROUTE FILM OFFICE

The Garden Route International Film Festivals (previously Knysna Film Festival) aim to launch drive-in cinemas in 8 towns by the end of Sept/beginning of October 2020. LED offices at municipalities have been requested to assist with identifying and securing locations.

For any questions on implementing safety guidelines in the workplace, businesses can email WESGRO: supportbusiness@wesgro.co.za

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,
  • Jump for entrepreneurs smartphone app which provides valuable advice, networks and tools for those who run a business, or who wish to start a business,
  • 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:

For employers

 For employees

 

PLEASE REMEMBER THESE FIVE GOLDEN RULES OF KEEPING SAFE 

  1. Work from home if you can or if you are feeling unwell
  2. Practice social distancing and stay 1.5 metres from others
  3. Wash or sanitise hands regularly
  4. Practice good hygiene
  5. Wear face masks or a face covering when in public

 

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

30 May 2020

As of 1pm on 30 May, the Western Cape has 8480 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 19460 confirmed cases and 10 508  recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 19460
Total recoveries 10508
Total deaths 472
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 8480
Hospital admissions 890 with 189 in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 1894 1108
Southern 2231 1015
Northern 1207 687
Tygerberg 2930 1779
Eastern 1807 999
Klipfontein 2395 1244
Mitchells Plain 1870 1051
Khayelitsha 2511 1588
Total 16845 9471

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 15 11
Garden Route Knysna 53 28
Garden Route George 67 23
Garden Route Hessequa 12 9
Garden Route Kannaland 1 1
Garden Route Mossel Bay 30 22
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 9 3
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 182 76
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 589 177
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 219 52
Cape Winelands Langeberg 17 5
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 252 203
Overberg Overstrand 44 26
Overberg Cape Agulhas 8 2
Overberg Swellendam 12 6
Overberg Theewaterskloof 58 17
West Coast Bergrivier 35 20
​West Coast ​Cederberg 4 0
West Coast Matzikama 2 0
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 71 15
West Coast Swartland 78 29
       
Central Karoo Beaufort West 4 0

Unallocated: 853 (312 recovered)

Additional data can be found on the dashboard at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 35 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 472. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Back to school:

On Monday, learners in Grades 7 and 12 will return to school as part of a phased process. The Department of Education in the Western Cape has put in place a number of safety measures to ensure that learners and school staff are protected. We understand that for many parents, and teachers, there will be concern and anxiety associated with this return.

The Department in the province has spent R280 million so far to procure PPE and cleaning materials including 2.4 million face masks, 7013 thermometers which will be used to screen staff and learners and schools daily, as well as millions of litres of disinfectant, hand sanitizers and soaps for cleaning and personal hygiene. Measures have been put in place to ensure social distancing in schools and the department is engaging with learner transport to ensure that this is also conducted safely.

Measures have also been put in place to accommodate learners and staff with underlying illnesses which might make them more vulnerable to infection.

The Department, principals, teachers and staff are all working hard to ensure that a return to school and to learning does not come with increased risk. During this time, we encourage parents to talk to their children about the return to school and how they can best protect themselves while at school. This includes discussions about regular handwashing, ensuring that distancing is practiced at all times, and that masks are worn correctly.

Resources and guidelines can be found at: https://wcedonline.westerncape.gov.za/back-school

Alert level 3:

On Monday, the whole country will also move to Alert level 3. We welcome the move because we are hyper-aware of the humanitarian crisis that has been a by-product of closing down large sections of the economy during the lockdown. The move to level 3 must be carefully managed which is why the Western Cape Government’s targeted hotspot plan will continue in areas where infections are highest. This plan however requires the support and assistance of all residents of these hotspot areas and the rest of the province.

With the Western Cape peak of the virus anticipated for the end of June/ beginning of July- precautionary measures must be taken by every single person to protect themselves and their loved ones.

During a briefing last night by the National Health Minister Zweli Mkize and members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee, we heard that 20% to 50% of infections are asymptomatic- with the carriers unknowingly spreading the virus. They also indicated that each person could potentially infect two other people. These two people could be our elderly parents, or loved ones with underlying illnesses who have a much higher risk of becoming seriously ill. Our own behaviour can stop this from happening and can save lives.

This virus is going to be with us for several more months and we need to adapt and change our behaviour. The world has changed and ‘business as usual” must become a thing of the past. We must be rigourous about hygiene and handwashing. Social distancing and wearing of masks must become second nature and we must do these things instinctively. This is how we will be able to flatten the curve and slow the spread of the virus.