The Capricorn District Command Council (DCC) welcomed the easing of the risk-adjusted lockdown to level two which permits more activities in order to breathe life into the economy and save jobs, during a meeting last Tuesday. The meeting emphasised that although a number of activities are now permitted, this is still subject to strict safety protocols to prevent the second wave of infections. Therefore, restrictions such as the 50-people limit attending funerals, churches and social gatherings still apply and wearing a mask in public remains mandatory.
The DCC was pleased with the progress made in the supply of water in response to Covid-19. This includes the delivery of 192 JoJo tanks by the Department of Water, the installation of 145 tanks and the provision of 17 water tanker trucks to areas with dire water shortages. Fifty water tankers are actively delivering water across the district, covering over 250 areas on a cycle-return basis.Anglo Platinum Polokwane Smelters donated sanitiser, blankets, food parcels and masks to the Thuthuzela Victim Empowerment Centre in Seshego.
In the distribution of food parcels, 6 650 households benefitted from Sassa’s food parcels while food parcels from the District Food Bank have been distributed to 9 353 destitute families.
A total of 1 443 families benefitted from community nutrition development centres while 470 people with chronic conditions benefitted from social relief services. Food parcels distributed to children below 7 years stand at 68 and those donated by the Department of Social Development are 3 333. This brings the total of households that benefitted through food parcels to 21 317 and school uniforms to 173.
In monitoring compliance with the Covid-19 protocols, the DCC noted with satisfaction that 146 churches with 1 082 congregants (cumulative) were monitored, 117 (cumulative) schools, 715 (cumulative) funeral services with a total of 35 450 (cumulative) people were reached. Lastly, the bed capacity of hospitals in the district is reported to be 819 in capacity and the current admission is at 81.
Story: Barry Viljoen
