MEDIA STATEMENT BY OVERSTRAND MUNICIPALITY EXECUTIVE MAYOR DUDLEY COETZEE REGARDING COVID-19

As COVID-19, also called the Coronavirus, spreads all over South Africa and the World Health Organisation declaring the virus a pandemic, it has become imperative that you are kept informed with developments and take steps to combat the spread of the disease.

A few measures and controls were introduced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, and as a community, we need to stand together to do everything possible to avoid spreading the Coronavirus and putting further strain on SA’s health system.

COMMUNITY HALLS AND SPORT FACILITIES:

• All bookings of events and gatherings which is considered to exceed 100 people in attendance is cancelled, with reimbursement.
• Requests for bookings of events and gatherings which is considered to exceed 100 people in attendance shall not be approved until further notice.

PUBLIC EVENTS TO BE HOSTED IN TERMS OF THE EVENTS POLICY:

• All approved events are cancelled until further notice
• No new applications shall be considered until further notice

HAWSTON SWIMMING POOL COMPLEX:

• The Hawston Swimming Pool Complex is closed for public use, until further notice

As part of a bigger project the Municipality is to provide additional toilets and water taps in the Schulphoek area.

Everyone can play a crucial role in limiting its spread.

COVID-19: TOP TIPS TO LIMIT RISK:

• Wash and sanitize hands regularly
• Make use of alcohol-based antibacterial hand sanitizer
• Wash hands frequently for about 20 seconds with soap and water
• Cough or sneeze into the crook of your arm or cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Do not shake hands
• Sanitise handrails and clean lift buttons five times daily
• Use stronger cleaning materials for desks, floors, lifts and handrails
• Collect rubbish in bins that are covered
• High traffic public spaces need to be cleaned regularly

The Overstrand Municipality aligns with initiatives from other spheres of government and follows advise that:

• South Africans returning from high-risk countries be subjected to testing and self-isolation or quarantine on return to South Africa.
• Travellers from medium-risk countries (such as Portugal, Hong Kong and Singapore), are required to undergo high-intensity screening.
• Gatherings of more than 100 people have been prohibited
• Organisers of smaller events need to put strict measures of prevention and control in place.

Know the facts and be informed by an accurate source.

Visit the Western Cape Department of Health’s dedicated website on the Coronavirus. Go to www. westerncape.gov.za click on department-of-health click on coronavirus
Or
WhatsApp 060 012 3456 (National Government Support)
HELPLINE 0800 029 999

Issued by Overstrand Municipality Executive Mayor, Dudley Coetzee on 16 March 2020.

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