KZN Premier warns against holding super-spreader events

KWAZULU-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala has issued a strong warning and appealed to parents and learners not to organise or take part in celebrations in the province which flout current Covid-19 safety protocols and endanger lives.

The warning comes after the Department of Health identified several Rage 2020 gatherings as super-spreader events.

“With the end of year comes the end of school for learners especially matric as they enter the new world of tertiary education or work. We wish to warn all our learners against holding events such as Rage and others known as throw the pen away, after parties. At most of these gatherings, young people gather in large groups, others indulge in alcohol binges and other wanton activities,” Zikalala said.

Read also: Matric rage gatherings identified as super-spreader events: Department of Health

“We are also aware that similar events to mark the end of schooling are also scheduled in various parts of the province and in parks and so-called “underground” venues. We again wish to warn all those who intend to hold such events that this is against the regulations and we will not hesitate to apply the full extent and might of the law to deal with any such transgressions wherever they occur.”

Zikalala said large gatherings which involve excessive consumption of alcohol are characterised by risk behaviour and pose a real threat to the national effort to fight the spread of the Coronavirus.

“We expect parents to play a leading role in guiding their children to celebrate this important milestone in their lives in a responsible manner that will ensure that the children are safe to enter the next stage of their lives after matric. In general all our youth should be reminded that they are important weapons in the fight against Covid-19,” he said.  

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