Covid-19: Citizens need to work together to curb the spread of the virus

The Gauteng Provincial Command Council gave a briefing on the Covid-19 pandemic and the province’s efforts to combat the virus.

The virtual briefing on 2 July covered the province’s health response, ward-based interventions, an update on schools reopening as well as food security and social relief. An update on schools and social relief is outlined below. For more details about the efforts by the Health Department click here.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura said that there are still many concerns about the transmission of cases in hotspots. He said that the need to focus on behavioural changes.

“We need to appeal to our people and mobilise people. Our messages need to get to people because they are the ones who can make a real difference. Behavioural change is very important.”

He said that on 4 July, he will be having meetings with various political parties and sectors. “We are exploring the reintroduction of some of the harsher measures. Some of them may be pertaining to alcohol.”

He said that ministers and deputy ministers have been deployed at hotspots around the country and these ministers will also participate in the meeting.

He said that only the National Command Council could make decisions such as these. “A different approach may be needed. For what we are going through as a province, things may get worse in July and the numbers are spiking. We cannot just throw our hands in the air and say there’s nothing we can do.”

Infection rates at schools

Makhura said that currently there are more than 700 infections of learners and teachers at schools. “We are concerned about adding a big number of learners because our system is okay with Grade 7 and Grade 12 learners. We are worried that in the way we want to bring more learners [back to school], it may put more pressure than the system is able to carry.”

Potential changes to sale of alcohol regulations

Makhura said that they are looking at changes within their control. This includes access to alcohol. He said that the final decisions on the sale of alcohol are made by the National Command Council however the province is able to regulate the hours of sale of alcohol.

“It must be based on proper modelling and what the impact will be and what the load is on our trauma units.”

Citizens’ actions can lighten the burden

Makhura said that through following social distancing and safety measures, citizens can lighten the burden on the health system.

“As a province, we are determined to face this battle and contain its damage. We want to emerge from this storm as a province together.”

He said that they are working to ensure all essential service workers have adequate personal protective equipment and speeding up the accumulation of hospital beds.

“I don’t want to communicate a message that everything is fine… I don’t want to communicate the message that people must not think Gauteng is okay… the mortality rate will increase much more.”

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