The Department of Correctional Services’ Ncome Management Area has intensified its efforts to ensure prevention of Covid-19 in its centres.
A team comprising of internal healthcare workers, social workers, general staff and those involved in the Employee Assistant Programme has to date screened more than 95 per cent of the Ncome Management Area’s population.
This number includes both offenders and staff. Employees residing both inside and outside of the centres are screened daily, including having their temperatures taken, as this is one of the symptoms of a possible Covid-19 infection.
The department also cleans,
disinfects and sanitizes offender cells
on a regular basis, plus offices and
vehicles utilised by staff during their
daily duties. Area Commissioner Anthony Gina stressed the importance of a good “culture of hygiene” if the management area was to get through the coronavirus pandemic without recording a positive case. “We appeal to our members to regularly wash their hands and use sanitizers where possible,” he said. He also noted that the department had realised it cannot work in solitude, which is why it is also part of the district’s Joint Operation Committee (JOC), which sits at Ulundi on a regular basis.
Part of other measures put in place are:
Visits to offenders will be suspended for 30 days. – Service providers are required to produce identity documents and proof of residence upon entry to the centres, and will also be subjected to daily screening. The department remains hopeful that it will not have any confirmed cases of Covid-19 at its centres, but already has plans in place should it be faced with a positive case.
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