Even before President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown on March 23, most of the places like Queenshaven, Alberton Tuiste vir Bejaardes and Alberton Retirement Village had closed their doors to the public to protect their residents from the coronavirus.
According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, people aged 65 and older as well as people who live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities are at high risk in terms of Covid-19.
The RECORD spoke to the managers of a number of facilities about the coronavirus.
• Johan Pretorius, general manager from Queenshaven, said they are doing everything in their power to keep their residents safe.
“We have closed Queenshaven to the public and cancelled all of our activities.
“This is our way of preventing the virus from spreading. We facilitate the elderly and at this moment they are vulnerable,” said Pretorius.
Residents of Queenshaven are allowed to go out, but management urged them to rather be safe and stay at home.
Pretorius said he would appreciate the help of volunteers to go shopping for some of the residents.
Those who want to help can contact Gale Clarkson on 011 613 5927 or send an email to admin@queenshaven.co.za
• Johann van der Merwe from Alberton Retirement Village said they have cancelled all their social activities, daily meetings and bus services and their guest house has been closed until further notice.
“We asked residents to discourage visits with their family and friends outside the premises.
“The bus service has also been cancelled and we urge residents to either do their shopping online or to go out as smaller groups to buy food or to go to the pharmacy,” said van der Merwe.
“As always, we appreciate any help that is offered and we regularly make need determinations. However, I think it is important that we take note of the warning from the Italians.
“We cannot continue partying and need to make changes.
“Since we are a self-catering tea resort, we must rely on our residents to act responsibly. However, we follow the recommendations of the authorities,” he said.
Volunteers may contact them on 011 907 8641.
• A representative from the Alberton Tuiste vir Bejaardes said they have closed their doors to the public.
“Residents are not to allowed to go out and we have made plans for food, medication and other basic needs.
“We just have to protect those who are at risk and take care of them At the moment we don’t need help with anything, but this can always change,” the representative said.
