The Executive Mayor of Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality (CALM), Councillor Dan Nkosi, along with several other stakeholders recently visited the Shoprite centre in Fernie to ensure that the centres and stalls are complying with the lockdown regulations.
According to Mr Thapelo Phetla, spokesman for Chief Albert Luthuli Municipality, due to numerous community members at the shopping centre, the area has been declared a hotspot by the Local Command Council.
The visit was part of the municipality’s drive to ensure that the community adheres to the Covid-19 regulations.
It included monitoring compliance with Alert Level 4 regulations, as well as social distancing, wearing of masks, sanitising shopper’s hands and the centre’s hygiene and cleaning obligations.
Mr Phetla added that new permits have been issued with full details of the different businesses that are allowed to trade.
This is expected to reduce the illegal trading and it will enable Law Enforcement to clearly distinguish a legit business from the once trading illegally.
Business owners who are allowed to operate during lockdown level 4 are urged to comply with the regulations.
This entails having a workplace compliance plan, disinfecting their premises/stall, screening employees and provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
The local police will be conducting random checks on businesses to ensure that they comply with these regulations.
The municipality warns that there will be no tolerance for wrongdoers and those who are not complying will be arrested.
Mr Phetla concluded: “As the municipality, we must do our best to assist in flattening the curve.”
