VIDEO: Queensburgh retirement village closes gates to visitors during Covid-19 case surge in KZN
The residents are not allowed visitors, or to go out to visit people outside the village and have been told the new restrictions are for their own safety.
VISTORS are no longer permitted to enter Flame Lily Park and residents will not be allowed to leave without an exit permit.
This decision comes after management, of Flame Lily Park and Victory Park, implemented a full lockdown following the recent surge of new infections in the province.
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Residents and family of residents were informed about the decision in a letter, which was sent to the Queensburgh News by the son of one of the residents.
Letter
The letter implores residents to bear in mind that the restrictions have been put in place with due consideration.
“The GM is trying to balance the safety of us residents with the needs and freedom of us all. This virus is ever changing and as such new notices may become necessary on a more regular basis during this new wave period. Please bear with him as our safety is his main objective.”
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“We understand that it is impossible to please all our residents but at the present moment we believe that this is a functional compromise,” read the statement which also included a request for residents to help Braam Saayman, the general manager of Flame Lily Park, to put their safety first while trying to maintain as much freedom as possible.
The letter stated that the restrictions will remain in place until Sunday 17 January after which date the situation would be reviewed.
“Although we hope that conditions will be favourable for an easing of restrictions, it is quite possible for the period of lockdown to be extended,” said the letter.
Tightening
“I am afraid that the time has come for tightening the lockdown and the following rules,” said Saayman on 4 January.
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He said in his statement, distributed to residents, that the latest rules should be read in conjunction with the existing rules outlined last year as they do not replace the previous rules, but rather strengthen and tighten them.
“With immediate effect no outside visitors or family will be allowed into the park, except for service providers, such as plumbers, TV technicians,” he said urging residents to postpone any non–essential work or deliveries where possible.”
Exit permits
In addition to the restriction on visitors there is the restriction on residents leaving the park without permission.
“An exit permit, obtainable at the office, or where otherwise advised, will be required. The exit permit allows a resident two hours outside the park to do shopping, visit a doctor,” said the manager stressing that people are not permitted to leave to visit relatives.
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“A resident will be allowed two exit permits per week, but not both on the same day,” he said.
Bus
Flame Lily Park has a bus service which ferries residents to and from the shopping centres weekly. the manager said it would continue to run each Wednesday as usual.
“It is only allowed to carry 50 per cent of its normal capacity. A permit will not be required to travel on the bus, but a record will be kept of all passengers. A resident who has used the bus will only be allowed one permit for that week, the bus trip being in lieu of the second permit,” he said.
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“A resident who has already used his or her two permits for the week, will not be allowed to travel on the bus in that week.”
Penalties
Saayman also mentioned that non-compliance will result in residents being refused any further exit permits.
“Should a resident not comply with the conditions of the exit permit their exit allocation will be revoked immediately unless a valid verifiable reason for the breach is provided,” he said.
Purpose
Saayman stressed that the purpose of the latest tighter rules are to minimise the exposure to possible carriers of the virus. “It will not eliminate the risk, but it can drastically reduce it, depending on compliance. The less the exposure, the smaller the risk.”
Morale
Kogie Padayachee the social therapist at the Flame Lily frail care facility said she and staff were working to keep morale up.
“The old folks are well . Those that understand what is happening are a bit worried but we are trying to keep their spirits up,” she said.
Saayman said he was aware the restrictions were not popular but he stressed that it was important to reduce the risk to the residents.
“We really try to make the lockdown as painless as possible for our residents,” he said when contacted to confirm the restrictions,” he said when contacted to confirm the restrictions.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
