ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW: Bathing banned (and more) as South Coast fights to combat spread of Covid-19

The Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) Joint Operation Centre met earlier today (Friday, March 20), and here are the regulations recommended to combat the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19):

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• To partner with business and taxi associations and commuters for advocacy campaigns regarding the pandemic with immediate effect.
• Providing sanitizers in all our offices and/or workstations, our community service centres and public facilities like libraries, halls and other facilities of this nature.
• All municipal meetings and events with more than 50 people are cancelled.
• Work with other law enforcement agencies in enforcing prohibition of gatherings of 100 and more people and also to ensure that other gatherings comply with the regulations.
• Bookings for municipal halls with more than 50 people will be cancelled and where there are less than 50 people it should comply with the regulations.
• Suspending breathalyser usage by our law enforcement officers.
• Libraries and museums be closed to public until further notice however staff will be present on Mondays up to Fridays during working hours.
• Public swimming pools and municipal parks to be closed to public until further notice.
• MLB office and any other municipal community service will not allow more than 80 customers at a time.
• The bathing on RNM beaches is banned until further notice.
• The Local Joint Operation Centre (JOC) recommends to Council for suspension of sitting of Council until further notice except where it has to consider legislated matters.
• Discourage awareness campaigns gatherings but instead use media (in different forms, e.g. WhatsApp groups, bulk SMSes, print, audio and audio-visual adverts)
• Revoke all approved events.
• Minimise contact (at least one metre apart from the next person).
• Attendance to funerals be limited to family members and close relatives only
• Encourage event organisers to prepare attendance registers for all functions or events
• JOC establishes an ad hoc committee that will develop a clear programme on advocacy campaign to combat the spread of the virus and this ad hoc committee will meet for the first time on Tuesday, March 24.

In order for all of the above to be effective, it will require cooperation from everyone to follow the four (04) precautions to avoid being infected:

1. WASH YOUR HANDS (wash your hands with soap thoroughly. If water and soap are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer)
2. PRACTICE GOOD PERSONAL HYGIENE (cover your mouth with a tissue paper when coughing or sneezing. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Avoid touching your face with dirty or unwashed hands at all times and avoid contact with people who are sick)
3. DO NOT SHARE FOOD AND UTENSILS (only use clean utensils and do not share drinks. Always clean your hands before eating.
4. SEE A DOCTOR IF YOU ARE UNWELL (if you have typical symptoms like coughing, runny nose, fever and shortness of breath seek medical attention promptly.
5. Call the clinic or doctor ahead of your visit and inform them of your symptoms and travel history).

Simon April, spokesman for RNM, said they would like to advice against believing unproven myths about coronavirus (Covid-19), believing and spreading rumours that have not been issued by designated person/s to issue official statements in this regard as this may result to prosecution.

“As we continue to be cautious let us know that as of now, within our Ugu District and in Ray Nkonyeni Municipality in particular, there is no one that has tested positive of coronavirus (Covid-19).”

 The world experienced the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) at the beginning of 2020.

As a result of this, on Sunday, March 15, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster Management Act.

On March 18, 2020, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) promulgated Regulations setting out steps to prevent an escalation of the COVID-19 or to alleviate, contain and minimise the effects of the virus.

For more information on COVID-19 you can use the Tollfree number 0800 029 999 or go to www.nicd.ac.za and you can also stay informed on #COVID19 by joining the WhatsApp support for South Africans by saying “Hi” to 0600 123 456 or go to www.sacoronavirus.co.za 

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