LIMPOPO – “Once the virus reaches our villages, it will be difficult to contain,” she pleaded. The MEC made the call amid the growing number of national COVID-19 cases, of which most were in Gauteng.
In the meantime, Limpopo Provincial Government has planned to couple the fight against the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, with the annual Arrive Alive campaign by the Department of Transport on the busy N1 between Gauteng and Zimbabwe via the Beit-Bridge border post this Easter. The road is usually busy during Easter, with many travelling from their places of work, mostly in Gauteng to the Sadec countries, which use the border as a gateway to their respective countries.
The Health MEC said her department will be working closely with the South African National Taxi Council Association (Santaco) to educate taxi and bus operators as they travel to their respective destinations. “We have targeted the N1 because of the massive volume of traffic on the road between Gauteng and Zimbabwe via Beit Bridge. Our bus and taxi operators, including passengers travelling on the N1, would be educated in terms of sanitisers and general hygiene, and how to protect themselves so that they do not only arrive alive but also arrive protected from the dangerous disease,” she said.
She added that the premier has launched the WAC programme aimed at combatting the spread of the Coronavirus.
“The letters WAC refer to, wash our hands after touching an object or shaking hands with someone, avoid touching or rubbing our noses and faces, while C means covering our noses and mouth when coughing or sneezing,” she said.
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown for 21 days which will commence on Thursday, 26 March at 23:59. The Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced today that there are now 554 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in South Africa.
Read more: Coronavirus: 554 confirmed cases of Covid-19 as of today
35 of South Africa’s borders and two seaports have been closed since 18 March to combat the spread of the virus. Ramathuba confirmed that the department would assist in scanning those entering or leaving the country, including those suspected to have contracted the virus.
Read more: New confirmed Covid-19 cases in Limpopo a family of 3
As it stands, Limpopo has reported four positive cases of the Coronavirus.
