Covid-19: Intensive lockdown to be implemented in eThekwini

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has announced that as of 20 April, an intensive lockdown will be implemented in eThekwini municipality.

eThekwini has seen the highest number of infections in KwaZulu-Natal. The province has also seen 21 deaths so far out of the 52 deaths nationwide, most of which have taken place in eThekwini. As of 18 April, KwaZulu-Natal had recorded the third highest number of cases nationwide, with 604 infections.

Zikalala and KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu addressed the media concerning the intensive lockdown in the district on 19 April.

“eThekwini requires a more vigorous and intensified reaction,” said Zikalala. “All is not well and we need to take urgent and drastic actions because we are at risk of losing this battle if we behave as if everything is normal.”

He said that there must be serious consequences for those not abiding by regulations. “We have noticed that many people, especially the youth, generally do not practice social distancing and can be seen roaming the streets and standing in groups,” said Zikalala.

He emphasised the fact that no-one must believe that they are safe from being infected by the virus. “We are going to embark on an intense screening campaign… setting up testing and screening booths in areas of major movement such as malls, transport routes and taxi ranks.”

He said that police, the army, the Department of Health, Department of Transport and the municipality would work together to screen residents.

He said that all those testing positive will be isolated in demarcated areas and only return home once they have recovered.

Zikalala explained that the intensified lockdown would not deviate from national regulations, but rather adopt stricter implementation to ensure that the curve is flattened.

“We are doing all we can to reduce infection levels in this district,” said Zikalala. He added that the hotspots included all major townships and suburbs in the district.

Movement between districts will not be allowed and will now be strictly monitored.

Over 500 community and screening testing teams are on the ground at present. Over 95 000 people have been screened in the province so far. The briefing revealed that 83 patients were admitted to public and private hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal and three patients were currently in ICU in the province.

Simelane-Zulu described eThekwini as the economic hub of the province, emphasising the importance of clamping down on the virus in this district.