KZN government in race to contain Covid-19 wave

THE KwaZulu-Natal government is racing to contain Covid-19 cluster outbreaks with possible beach closures following backlash from the Rage festival.

Last week, Berea Mail reported that MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu would be meeting with event organisers to ascertain if their events are in line with the government’s health protocols. The result of that meeting was the Provincial Executive Committee cancelling many major events across Durban including the famous new years eve party, Fact Durban Rocks.

Sihle Zikalala, KZN Premier issued a strong warning and appealed to parents and learners not to organize or take part in celebrations in the province which flout current Covid-19 safety protocols and endanger lives.

“With the end of year comes the end of school for learners especially matric as they enter the new world of tertiary education or work. We wish to warn all our learners against holding events such as Rage and others known as Throw the Pen Away, after Parties. Most of these gatherings young people gather in large groups, others indulge in alcohol binges and other wanton activities,” said Zikalala.

With matric and university students set to close off the academic year, Zikalala has urged them to find other ways to celebrate than congregating in large groups. Zikalala said people holding these ‘super spreader’ events will face the full might of the law.

“All these large gatherings which involve excessive consumption of alcohol are characterized by risk behaviour and pose a real threat to the national effort to fight the spread of the CoronaVirus,” he said.

ALSO READ: Matric rage gatherings identified as super-spreader events: Department of Health

“We expect parents to play a leading role in guiding their children to celebrate this important milestone in their lives in a responsible manner that will ensure that the children are safe to enter the next stage of their lives after matric.”

Health MEC, Simelane-Zulu warned that if numbers keep increasing some cities in the province will follow the same route as the Nelson Mandela Bay which had their government restrictions reinstated.

“The President recently spoke about tightening the bolts in one municipality. We are not an exception. Should it become clear that we are becoming a hot spot as the Province of KZN, the President will do the same thing to us as a province in its entirety or as certain cities and towns within the province, where the numbers are increasing,” she said.

As of Tuesday, the province had a total of 131 725 confirmed Covid – 19 cases (8906 are still active), and 3406 deaths.

Zikalala is expected to hold a press conference this Friday where he will announce PEC’s decision on whether to close or open beaches during the final part of the festive season.

Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting

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