Authorities said the precautionary measures taken by Dis-Chem at its Boksburg branch to protect employees and customers from Covid-19 were left too late to implement.
The team, consisting of EMPD officers and health officials led by the Ekurhuleni MMC for Community Safety Frans Mmoko, visited the store on Sunday morning, following reports that 25 employees at Retail Park shopping centre tested positive for Covid-19.
“We are not convinced that the necessary measures were strictly implemented from day one. Considering the high number of infections, should tell you that the measures were initially ignored, hence the visit,” said Mmoko.
The MMC and his team also visited a Unilever factory in the Boksburg East Industrial area yesterday (April 19) where 34 staff members reportedly tested positive for Coronavirus.
Mmoko pointed out that the rising numbers of people who tested positive prompted government to be more proactive and act very swiftly.
“We had been in touch with the management at Dis-Chem and we are both in agreement that the store should temporarily be closed, so that they can deep clean it and subject the employees to the necessary tests that should be done,” said Mmoko.
He added that even centre management has to be brought on board to assist, as the infrastructure itself suffers from many shortcomings, including sharing of restrooms between employees and patrons.
We have gone above and beyond the required safety standards: Dis-Chem
Dis-Chem national clinic manager Lizeth Kruger said when Dis-Chem became aware of the first positive diagnosis, it took the necessary precautions including testing the entire staff and deep-cleaning the store.
“We have provided authorities with all the evidence that we are adhering to the regulations. In fact we have gone beyond the government measures and set of rules to ensure the safety of both our staff and customers.
“The store has on numerous occasions closed to allow for deep-cleaning and testing of our staff. We have recently reopened the store with totally new employees from cleaners to security guards, managers. We conduct screening every morning, and do swab testing on any suspicious employee, and that person is asked to self- isolate immediately,” said Kruger.
Responding to the allegations about delays in implementing safety precautions, Kruger said: “This allegations has been like an ongoing battle, but I can tell you that we have been taking extra precautionary measures since we became aware of the first positive results, which came back on April 11.
“This is after the first employee started to self-isolate on April 3.”
According to Kruger, employees were not showing any symptoms of the virus, but to be double sure that none of their employees were at risk, she said management took the decision to screen and do the full swab test on every staff members, including security personnel.
Responding to allegations that the affected and infected staff members are not receiving any form of support from their employer, Kruger said their clinic department phones each and every staff member in isolation or quarantine to check how they are doing and if they have all the basic items.
After the meeting with the MMC, the store was closed and both parties reached an agreement that it remain closed for at least two days. It will be deep-cleaned again.
Take extra precautionary measures to avoid crisis
The MMC is urging all non-essential workers and ordinary citizens to stay at home and maintain high standards of hygiene during the lockdown.
He advised businesses that are still operating, especial those that are located in centres impacted by Covid-19, to temporarily close their businesses, conduct deep cleaning and testing of staff.
“We call for adherence because if this thing gets out of hand we are not going to be able to control it. It will just spread like a veld fire.” -@MthuphFanie
