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COVID-19: Western Cape Provincial Overview 9

27 May 2020

COVID-19: Western Cape Provincial Overview 9

Municipalities in the Western Cape continue to implement wide ranging steps to address the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell, says the onset of winter further complicates the work being done and will bring additional challenges.

“Mass sanitising of public spaces is taking place on an ongoing basis, as is feeding schemes including soup kitchens, and all basic municipal services. Our emergency services and disaster centres remain fully operational and are on standby in the event of an emergency.”

Some of the latest efforts being done in some municipalities across the province includes:

  • Mossel Bay Municipality is supporting private initiatives in distributing donated cloth face masks made to fit young children and taxi passengers.
  • Cape Winelands District Municipality has partnered with Santam to develop Hotspot specific communication for the next 3 -6 months that will encompass various platforms. CWDM delivered 12 tons of agricultural produce to the local municipalities for distribution to the needy. This is the second distribution as a result of the partnership between, CWDM,  LG, Agri-Western Cape and Overberg District Municipality.
  • From 1 June 2020, the Drakenstein Municipality Traffic Department will open its doors for licence renewals and registrations. From 1 July 2020 onwards, the system will be open for new applications. During June, the Municipality will attend to the backlog that was created by the national lockdown.
  • Knysna Municipality has appointed a committee to consider ad hoc applications for payment relief received from local businesses and accommodation establishments in an effort to assist these entities during the ongoing crisis. Delaying rates and services charges as well as a possible reduction in municipal property rentals is also being considered.
  • As part of the West Coast District Municipality’s COVID-19 Mitigation Strategy the disinfection of public spaces continues which include National, Provincial and Private owned buildings in support of interventions already in place by the building occupants. WCDM Executive Mayor, Alderman Harold Cleophas, and Council approved a financial contribution of R250 000 (R50 000 per local municipality in the district) to be utilized for humanitarian aid by the local municipalities. WCDM has procured the necessary PPE as prescribed in the direction issued by the Minister of Employment and Labour for all personnel.

Bredell has urged all citizens with questions or concerns or who wish to make a contribution in the ongoing struggle to visit the provincial website: www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus or to get in touch with their local municipalities for assistance.

“In addition, if you have flu-like symptoms, and may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, please contact the provincial hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice on what to do next.”

ENDS.

Media enquiries:

James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson for the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell

Mobile:  084 583 1670 / E-mail:  James-Brent.Styan@westerncape.gov.za

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde

26 May 2020

As of 1pm on 26 May, the Western Cape has 7555 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 15 756 confirmed cases and 7844 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 15756
Total recoveries 7844
Total deaths 357
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 7555
Total number of tests 128 558
Hospitalisations 665 of which 178 are in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 1640 882
Southern 1854 661
Northern 969 518
Tygerberg 2421 1405
Eastern 1375 782
Klipfontein 1934 902
Mitchells Plain 1550 779
Khayelitsha 2004 1231
Total 13 747 7160

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 14 6
Garden Route Knysna 45 20
Garden Route George 60 21
Garden Route Hessequa 12 9
Garden Route Kannaland 1 1
Garden Route Mossel Bay 30 22
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 9 3
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 125 49
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 353 103
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 132 40
Cape Winelands Langeberg 11 4
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 230 190
Overberg Overstrand 33 19
Overberg Cape Agulhas 5 2
Overberg Swellendam 10 6
Overberg Theewaterskloof 40 10
West Coast Bergrivier 25 13
​West Coast ​Cederberg 2 0
West Coast Matzikama 2 0
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 42 9
West Coast Swartland 48 23
Central Karoo Beaufort West 2 0

Unallocated: 778 (134 recovered)

Data notes:

Cases previously allocated to Mossel Bay, Oudtshoorn, Langeberg and Cederberg have been re-allocated due to address data being updated.

A third case has been allocated to Beaufort West which is reflected on the online dashboard today but is not reflected in this media release. A Beaufort West address was supplied, however, the contact tracing team has determined that the patient is in the Northern sub-district. The dashboard will update to reflect the change tomorrow. Beaufort West therefore currently has two confirmed cases and the northern sub-district has 969.

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 39 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 357. We extend our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

Alert level 3:

Earlier today, National Health Minister Zweli Mkhize briefed the National Council of Provinces on the COVID-19 response. In his presentation, he indicated that some hotspots could remain on Alert Level 4 when the rest of the country moves to Alert Level 3 on 1 June.

I will seek clarity from the President on this matter as he was very clear in his address on Sunday that the whole country would move to level 3, with the hotspots being re-evaluated every two weeks.

The province has not received any direct indication from national government that this was not the case.

In any province, it would be very difficult to enforce some areas remaining on level 4, while others drop down to level 3. In the Western Cape for instance, neighbouring towns could find themselves in different alert levels, complicating matters for people commuting for work. It could also result in people breaking the rules to go to areas where the alert level is lower. It would require significant policing resources to enforce, and this should rather be used on ensuring physical distancing and implementing the response strategy in specific hotspots.

For the Western Cape, remaining on alert level four in the Cape Town Metro and other identified districts such as the Cape Winelands, West Coast District and Overberg District, will further exacerbate the economic and humanitarian disaster that has resulted from the lockdown. Already, we anticipate the province will see over 200 000 job losses as a result of the lockdown, and any further delays in easing the levels will result in more people losing their jobs and an even greater need for humanitarian relief. This should be taken seriously because it will cost lives in the future too.

That is why we support the President’s decision on Sunday that the entire country move to level 3, in conjunction with the targeted hotspot strategy. This is what we presented to both the President and Minister Mkhize, and we look forward to working with all levels of government in implementing it.

Chronic medication supply:

The Western Cape Department of Health, has since the lockdown was first instituted, been delivering medication to vulnerable, chronic patients at their homes. So far, over 132 000 chronic medicine parcels have been delivered by community health workers across the province, in a partnership with Uber.

This was part of our strategy to ensure that people, especially those with underlying illnesses, are able to stay at home, while at the same time, reducing the number of people visiting our healthcare facilities to allow for social distancing.

A further 278 282 patient medicine parcels were also issued by the Chronic Dispensary Unit, which are pre-packed, and delivered to facilities and alternate collection sites for collection on a scheduled date.

Our focus in the healthcare space is on protecting the vulnerable such as the elderly and those with underlying conditions. By ensuring that a large number of these people do not need to go out to collect medication at a healthcare facility on a monthly basis, we are able to reduce their risk of becoming infected.

26 May 2020 Media Release: Ecological grief sets in as the lockdown highlights the looming plight of greater humanity – the destruction of our environment

Media Release: Ecological grief sets in as the lockdown highlights the looming plight of greater humanity – the destruction of our environment

For Immediate Release
26 May 2020

“In an ongoing series of debates with experts in various fields, the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) seeks to highlight aspects related to COVID-19 demands on humanity, and that which is unfolding as climate change steadily brings about corresponding and irreversible changes with daunting challenges,” says Cobus Meiring of the GREF Secretariat.

The matter of the fairly new concept of ecological grief and human behaviour, which was instigated by COVID-19, highlights the looming plight of greater humanity: the destruction of our environment.

According to Hanna Kotze, an organisational culture consultant and clinical social worker, climate change brings an unknown threat to normality in terms of how humans will experience the environment, and it will do so in many respects that are more often than not difficult to comprehend or even believe. In as much as the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is invisible, but the threat is very real and present, so is climate change, and humanity sense the danger, which in turn brings about a constant anxiety.

Says Kotze, “Ecological grief is a relatively new term for the subconscious but the concept embraces the collective grief humanity experiences when witnessing and experiencing loss of biodiversity and the destruction of the natural environment.”

“Natural disasters with their roots in climate change, such as the recent Knysna wildfire disaster, catastrophic drought in South Africa, Hurricane Katrina in the USA, wildfires in Australia and Europe, and the Idai tropical cyclone in Mozambique are all examples where humanity suffers from ecological grief, which no doubt impacts on the emotional well-being of nations affected,” explains Kotze.

“Many of us may feel paralysed by panic over climate change and overwhelmed by the pace and scale of ecological losses. Mourning nature does a great service by giving a name to this grief, setting us all within a community of others who mourn alongside us, and by guiding us to respond not with despair but with hope and courage”.

“Hopefully, the advent of COVID-19 will have the right kind of response in how we ensure a more sustainable future in South Africa and the world, and planning for what is to come will go a long way in ensuring just that,” concludes Kotze.

Humanity feels overwhelmed by the sheer destruction of our environment brought about by increasingly devastating natural disasters with their roots in a changing climate. (Photo: SCLI)

The Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) is a public platform for environmental management entities in the Southern Cape, and a regional think tank on climate change mitigation and adaption.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

Cobus Meiring: Chair of the Garden Route Environmental Forum Secretariat

Cell: 083 626 7619

Email: cobus@naturalbridge.co.za

 

Hanna Kotze: Organisational Culture Consultant, Clinical Social Worker and Trauma Counselling

Mobile Number: 084 341 0059

Email Address: hanna@hannakotze.co.za

25 May 2020 GRDM holds 2-day Institutional Strategic Planning Session to discuss its strategic direction

Press Release

25 May 2020

For Immediate Release

Councillors and management from Garden Route District Municipality, together with representatives from labour unions and various government stakeholders, on 7 and 11 May 2020, convened through a virtual platform, a Strategic Planning Session, to review all operations of the municipality since July to March 2020 and also to discuss the strategic direction that the municipality aims to undertake over the short- and long term.

This annual engagement, as described by the facilitator, Dr Florus Prinsloo, allowed all participants to share their inputs with regards to the damage that the COVID-19 pandemic has done to the economy of the district and also the district’s readiness and the interventions of the municipality to recover from the effects of the pandemic.

When describing the objective of the session, Executive Mayor of GRDM, Councillor Memory Booysen, emphasised the importance of all stakeholders, especially representatives from the various political parties, around one table to discuss strategic issues of the municipality.

With reference to the COVID-19 pandemic that also affects the rest of the work, including Garden Route,, Executive  Mayor Booysen said: “Nobody foresaw that by this time, we would all be affected by this pandemic”. He said: “We all have had to change our lifestyles; we now have to change our management styles as well as our political approach to provide direction to the management in our collective fight of this pandemic. We must use this time as an opportunity to prepare ourselves for change. All the initiatives we are busy with are all enforced by COVID-19. Some would not be sustainable and affordable, but we know that some initiatives have to be adjusted. We now have to realign how we use to do business and how we are going to adapt to the new norm,” Mayor Booysen added.

Municipal Manager of GRDM, Mr Monde Stratu, acknowledged that the pandemic has revealed the levels of poverty in South Africa, e.g. hunger, inhumane settlements etc., but also at the same time how the pandemic brought to the fore that government indeed works. He said: “As we plan for the new financial year, it will not be the same going forward. We have to re-look and review our strategies”.

Mr Stratu also provided feedback about the compliance of all committees from July to date and reported that all Council meetings that were scheduled to take place have been executed, all reports that were prepared to serve at oversight committees were processed and the annual report was approved in time. He furthermore provided an update on the application for GRDM to be registered as a Water Service Authority as well as an update regarding the catalytic projects such as the fresh produce market ,Renewable Energy Projects, Development Agency etc. which are still in its planning phases.

In respect of intergovernmental relations and public participation all forums took place including IDP forums. Mr Stratu furthermore reported that the Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan and all planning processes to review the IDP and Budget have been undertaken and that all required financial reports have been submitted to the relevant structures. He therefore extended a word of appreciation to the political leadership for their role to ensure that the municipality complied with these legislative requirements. Mr Stratu also remembered and acknowledged the late Cllr Nomhiki Jacobs who participated in all these initiatives to ensure that Council adhered to all legislative requirements, however she sadly passed away on 18 March 2020.

In going forward, Mr Stratu highlighted the municipality is in a financially stable position, however, he said: “We now have to make serious changes in terms of the long term sustainability of the municipality”. He also acknowledged that the Cost Containment Regulations contributed to various strategies that had to be reviewed as many tourism and other projects came to a halt due to the lockdown.  He concluded with the following words:  “As a Council we do have the political will and we are confident to do everything possible to reignite the economy of the Garden Route in order to take our rightful place as a district municipality and lead as our vision reads”.

Dr Michael Sutcliffe, former City Manager of eThekwini Municipality made a presentation on the Municipal functions as outlined in section 84 of the Structures Act. He shared some findings on the research he has done on this functions and the recommendations that will be made with regards to possible review of Section 84 and 85 of the Structures Act. He acknowledged that the Garden Route District Municipality is capable of performing the functions of the district as outlined in Section 84. Dr Sutcliffe made an example that a district fresh model idea would address the needs of both the most impoverished communities to the richest of the rich.

Mr Walton Carelse from the Western Cape Government presented the Joint District Approach that started in July 2018. The model was developed in conjunction with Local Municipalities and was introduced at the Garden Route Municipal Managers Forum on 4 December 2018. The model included the identification and assessment of Municipal priorities throughout the district and developing a consolidated approach in achieving those priorities. Through these platforms the following themes were created to group the challenges of the municipalities, namely: climate change and water security, local economic development, immigration and urbanisation, infrastructure management, institutional governance, data management, intergovernmental planning alignment, partnering, partnerships and shared services, financial sustainability, citizen interface, political, administrative and social instability and waste management. Each district municipality had to identify their two/three top priorities from  the five top priorities identified across the Western Cape namely: community participation, infrastructure management, urbanisation, climate change and water security, as well as waste management. All these were identified prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Now the municipality may have to review the priorities, in light of  Covid-19 pandemic. Currently the District has identified the following priorities from the broad themes:

  • Growing the Regional Economy
  • Developing Resilience as a Region
  • Integrated Management for Good Governance
  • Liveable Cities/Towns Social Cohesion
  • Sustainable Human Settlements

When presenting the COVID-19 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) support programme, Mr Rashid Teofy, Head of the Western Cape Government COVID-19 Economic Cluster, together with members of the Cluster, explained the role of the Cluster since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. These include the access to incentives, the collating of information on all support measures to ensure that these are available to SMMEs etc. Furthermore, together with Provincial Treasury, a database has also been developed to deal with personal protective equipment, which municipalities and government departments can access for procurement of personal protective equipment such as cloth masks. Together with this, WESGRO created a platform for the private sector where suppliers and buyers can interact with one another regarding Covid 19 PPE. The unit also engages with businesses and banks on a bi-weekly basis to discuss the challenges of SMMEs. Another initiative that is also in its planning phase is to transform spaza shops into mini supermarkets which will allow a more sophisticated shopping experience for the community.

The concept of a digital economy was furthermore presented, whereby various components and services have been brought into one platform that can be accessed by SMMEs as a guideline or a digital support tool. The platform, known as Jump for Entrepreneurs, furthermore seeks to assist small businesses to become more competitive and have access to more markets. This tool can be accessed via www.bizjump.co.za. The platform is updated on a regular basis and businesses are therefore encouraged to upload their profiles to interact with other businesses and remain competitive in this digital age.

The second day’s activities were in the form of presentations presented by the different Head of departments within the municipality.  Executive Managers used the opportunity to reflect on the past financial year’s achievements as well as the challenges experienced.  Councillors were enlightened with departments’ objective and strategies for the next financial year.  The impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on service delivery was also discussed. These presentations outlined various exciting projects that the Municipality will be engaged in to ensure self-sustainability and improve the regional economy.

ENDS

Media Release: Welcoming Alert Level 3 and opening of the construction sector to save jobs

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 25 May 2020

Release: immediately

Welcoming Alert Level 3 and opening of the construction sector to save jobs

We welcome the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa last night that the whole of South Africa will be moving to Alert Level 3 from 1 June 2020, and that all economic activity will resume except for certain sectors.

We are particularly glad to hear that the construction sector will be allowed to resume activity under Alert Level 3 as this is critical to saving jobs and the economy in the Western Cape. This sector is already under enormous strain and an estimated 100,000 direct and indirect jobs could be lost due to the impact of Covid-19. And so, we will be working closely with the sector to help them implement the necessary health and safety measures on construction sites ahead of Alert Level 3.

More details on which sectors will not be allowed to open are likely to be confirmed with the release of the Alert Level 3 regulations by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. As we have with the Alert Level 4 regulations, and in particular for the e-commerce and construction sectors, where we think that further consideration can be made for these sectors to safely open we will make further submissions to national government to do so.

We remain concerned about the tourism sector which is a major contributor to jobs and the economy in the Western Cape, and at present is only looking likely to open under Alert Level 2. This sector has already been hard-hit and could cost the Western Cape around 104 504 direct and indirect jobs in 2020. And so, where we think there are opportunities for tourism to open up safely and responsibly under Alert Level 3 we will request that national government allow this.

We firmly believe that if done responsibly, the economy in the Western Cape can open up while preventing the spread of Covid-19, and we are committed to supporting businesses through this crisis.

To avoid a return to a hard lockdown, it is imperative that every business that is operating now, or which opens under the new alert level, plays by the rules, and implements the necessary health and safety measures as instructed by national government to avoid further negative impacts on their respective sector.

It is just as important that every person returning to the workplace always adheres to the safety guidelines that are put in place by their employer, even when taking a break in a communal area.

If any employee feels that their employer is not following the health guidelines in place to stop the spread of Covid-19, they can report it using this online form: coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-business-safety-complaint-form

Every employer and employee has a responsibility to ensure that our economy stays open in the Western Cape.

We all need to stay safe in order to save jobs.

We will all have to pull together, and we will all have to work together, in the coming days, and weeks, and months because, in the end, it is up to all of us to stop the spread of Covid-19 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

Dam levels and Weather update in the Western Cape

25 May 2020

The first cold front for the winter made landfall early this morning in Cape Town. It has brought stormy, cold and wet weather reinforced by gale force winds across large parts of the province. The South African Weather Services has advised that the conditions can be expected into the rest of the week with snowfall expected in the mountain passes in the province.

Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, has urged the public to use caution when traveling outdoors over the next few days.

“We’re happy to see some wet weather in the Western Cape because it means our dam levels will get a much needed boost. At the moment the dam levels across the province are 35.1%. Last year at this time the level was 33.5%. We hope to see more rainfall especially in our Karoo and Upper West Coast regions. At the same time, the rain comes with very cold weather and that brings new challenges for the public as well as the emergency services.”

Provincial as well as Municipal Disaster Management Centres are already activated for the ongoing COVID-19 situation and remain fully operational and able to assist with any emergency.

“The easiest number to remember to call in an emergency is 112. This number can be dialled toll-free from any cell phone.”

Major Dam statistics

Voëlvlei dam – 49.9% full this week (2019: 55.5%. Last week: 50.5%)

Bergriver Dam 64.2% full this week (2019: 70%. Last week: 64.8%).

Theewaterskloof dam – 49.5% full this week (2019: 35.5%. Last week: 49.9%)

Clanwilliam Dam 5.2%. (2019: 9.5%. Last week: 5.2%)

Media Release: Update on the coronavirus by Premier Alan Winde – 400% increase in tests since 25 April, but national backlog is growing

25 May 2020

As of 1pm on 25 May, the Western Cape has 7439 active cases of Covid-19, with a total of 14 978 confirmed cases and 7221 recoveries.

Total confirmed COVID-19 cases 14978
Total recoveries 7221
Total deaths 318
Total active cases (currently infected patients) 7439
Total number of tests 124079
Hospitalisations 554 of which 139 are in ICU or high care

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Western 1581 833
Southern 1771 615
Northern 934 479
Tygerberg 2311 1293
Eastern 1314 725
Klipfontein 1858 822
Mitchells Plain 1478 727
Khayelitsha 1940 1147
Total 13187 6641

Sub-districts:

District  Sub-district Cases Recoveries
Garden Route Bitou 14 6
Garden Route Knysna 45 17
Garden Route George 55 20
Garden Route Hessequa 12 9
Garden Route Kannaland 1 1
Garden Route Mossel Bay 31 20
Garden Route Oudtshoorn 10 3
Cape Winelands Stellenbosch 111 45
Cape Winelands Drakenstein 312 93
Cape Winelands Breede Valley 124 39
Cape Winelands Langeberg 12 3
Cape Winelands Witzenberg 224 185
Overberg Overstrand 33 20
Overberg Cape Agulhas 5 2
Overberg Swellendam 10 7
Overberg Theewaterskloof 40 9
West Coast Bergrivier 20 8
​West Coast ​Cederberg 3 0
West Coast Matzikama 2 0
West Coast Saldanha Bay Municipality 40 5
West Coast Swartland 47 19
Central Karoo Beaufort West                                       2 0

Unallocated: 638 (69 recovered)

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

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 18 COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 318. We extend our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased at this time.

Testing backlogs:

A total of 124 079 tests have been completed in the Western Cape- representing a 400% increase in the number of tests conducted in the province since 25 April. This increase in testing in the Western Cape and in other provinces has resulted in a considerable backlog in the processing of these tests and in the release of their results by the National Health Laboratory Services.

The NHLS is a national entity, and the Western Cape has previously written to both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize regarding the backlogs which are creating considerable delays in people receiving their test results back. During his recent visit to the Western Cape, Minister Mkhize indicated that the delays were due to shortages of reagents and test kits which are being experienced world-wide.

The backlog in the Western Cape has now grown to approximately 18 000 tests.

In the absence of a rapid-test solution, the decision is to prioritise healthcare workers, those in hospital and those at high risk including the elderly and those with underlying conditions in order to ensure the most efficient way of managing the curve of the disease in this phase of community transmission.

We once again call on both the President and Minister Mkhize to move as quickly as possible to ensure that the NHLS is provided with the resources it so urgently requires and that testing across the country can continue unhindered.

Alert level 3:

Today marks one week until the entire country will move to Alert Level 3. This will be done in conjunction with our targeted hotspot plan.

We welcome this move which will allow many more people to be able to put food on the table. We are facing a very serious humanitarian crisis, which must be averted if we are to save lives in the future too.

But we must be absolutely clear- this does not mean life must go back to normal. It will not be business as usual in the Western Cape.  We will all need to work much harder to protect ourselves and to protect our loved ones.

For those businesses that will be re-opening, it is up to you to ensure the safety of your staff and of your customers. Use the next week to prepare your plans and ensure that everything is in place so that there is social distancing in place at all times, hygiene measures and cleaning routines are in place and risks are removed. Businesses can find a list of workplace protocols and sector specific steps here (LINK)

There is also greater responsibility on every single person returning to work next week. Make sure that you are washing your hands regularly, that you are wearing your mask and that there is always distance between you and other people. You must stay home if you feel ill so that you don’t make others around you ill. Please also remember that if you have any difficulty breathing, you must seek urgent healthcare.

The Western Cape Government is working around the clock to make sure that all our healthcare responses are in place, and that our hotspot plan is being efficiently and effectively executed. But we cannot fight this Covid-19 pandemic alone. We need everyone to help us by taking responsibility for themselves, and for their loved ones, so that we can protect the vulnerable from infection.

We have not yet reached the peak yet, and the situation is going to get worse before it gets better. So please keep safe, keep your loved ones safe, and save lives.

Donations for healthcare workers:

Today, Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais, Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo and I received a donation of over 2700 pairs of shoes and warm tops from Adidas, which will be distributed to healthcare workers in Cape Town, Gauteng and Kwa Zulu Natal.

Healthcare workers are at the frontline of our response to COVID-19 and comfortable shoes are important as they spend long hours on their feet. With winter weather starting to descend on the Western Cape, warm tops for our health-workers working early morning or late-night shifts, will be most welcome. We extend our gratitude to Adidas for their generous donation.

I would also like to thank all of those individuals, businesses and organisations who have stepped up to help us in the response to this pandemic. Whether it is through donations for our healthcare workers, providing meals for the hungry or volunteering time to make a difference at a time when many are experiencing difficulty, your assistance and your kindness are deeply valued.

Media Release: Premier Winde welcomes move to Alert Level 3 in conjunction with targeted hotspot plan

24 May 2020

The Western Cape Government welcomes the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the entire country will move to Alert Level 3, in conjunction with the targeted hotspot plan.

This targeted hotspot plan will utilise our combined government resources to slow the spread of the virus, to protect vulnerable people, and to save lives. We look forward to working with all levels of government in implementing this plan.

We are facing a very serious situation in the Western Cape and the rest of South Africa. The lockdown did not stop the virus, it only bought us time. It will continue to spread, and more and more people will be infected over the coming weeks.

To put it simply: things are going to get worse before they get better. We cannot let our foot off the pedal now, and in fact, we must work harder than ever before to slow the spread of this virus.

That is why it will not be business as usual in the Western Cape. We must all change our behaviour to keep safe and to save lives.

Every single one of us has a role to play in doing this. When you keep yourself safe – by wearing a cloth mask when in public, by keeping your distance, by following the golden rules of hygiene and by staying home as much as possible – you keep your loved ones safe too.

While most people will recover after being infected, some of the people we love the most, who might be older or have an underlying health condition, may not. We must change the way we live so that they are protected too.

I know that if we all work together in this way, with this common goal, we can get through this difficult time for our province and country. The responsibility on all of us has never been greater. So please keep safe and help us save lives.

[ENDS]

The details of the Western Cape’s targeted hotspot plan can be viewed here:  https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/western-cape-s-whole-government-targeted-hotspot-plan-we-need-save-lives-present-and-future

The details of how the Western Cape’s health response has been adapted to protect high risk and vulnerable people can be viewed here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/our-priority-protect-vulnerable-and-those-high-risk-our-curve-rises

The interventions taken by the Western Cape Government to prepare the province for the peak of infections can be found here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/western-cape-has-prepared-its-healthcare-system-peak-and-must-move-level-3-conjunction-targeted

The details of how the Western Cape Government is working with business to ensure they open safely and responsibly: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/helping-businesses-open-safely-and-responsibly

24 May 2020 Your mask can protect you – stay healthy!

There are a number of factors which have deterred some individuals from wearing masks or from wearing it correctly. Many have embraced the wearing of masks by buying or making their own colourful homemade varieties around their ears, while healthcare workers and other medical responders mainly wear N95 masks. There are, however, two distinct differences between cloth masks and N95 masks. Cloth masks protect people around the wearer, whereas respirator N95 masks protect the wearer from those around him or her.

The main benefit of wearing a mask is that it provides a bit of respiratory protection which can reduce depositing of droplets of the virus on surfaces and to others. Preventing a person from spreading the disease to others is important, because some people do not show any symptoms.

“We now understand that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms and are therefore referred to as asymptomatic, said Gerhard Otto, Head of Garden Route District Municipality’s Disaster Management Centre. He further explains: “Those who eventually develop symptoms are called pre-symptomatic and can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.”

Why should you wear a mask?

The virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity — for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing — even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms. This is important to note because one cough can produce up to 3 000 droplets. A recent study showed that humans spray thousands of droplets invisible to the naked eye into the air just by uttering the words “stay healthy”.

Remember wearing a mask is a precaution and courtesy to yourself and those nearby.

The GRDM Command Cenre therefore recommends that members of the public wear cloth face coverings in public settings. Businesses also have the right to prevent members of the public who are not wearing masks from entering their premises.

Keep your masks clean

When combined with proper hand washing and social distancing, masks may help the spread of COVID-19 in a community.

Remember to:

  • iron your mask after use or leave it in the sun;
  • avoid handling a mask without washing your hands;
  • wash your mask daily or after every extended use; and
  • wash your mask with a detergent containing bleach or a bleach-like ingredient, dry it, and it is good to go.

Five golden rules of good hygiene

  1. Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water
  2. Do not touch your face with unwashed hands
  3. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and safely throw away the tissue
  4. Keep 1,5 metres apart from others
  5. Stay home if unwell. Contact a hotline or your health worker

Remember just because you can’t see the virus doesn’t mean that it is not there. Always wear your mask when required and badly fitting masks won’t protect you – wear your mask and wear it correctly to stay healthy.

  • National hotline: 0800 029 999
  • Provincial hotline: 021 928 4102
  • National WhatsApp: 0600 123 456
ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za