MEDIA RELEASE : 16 DECEMBER 2020
NDLAMBE MUNICIPALITY COVID-19 JOINT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
PRESS RELEASE : NDLAMBE COVID-19 JOINT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE : 16 DECEMBER 2020
The rising number of Corona Virus infections in the Eastern Cape, and the potential for infections to spike out of control over the festive season resulted in an urgent meeting being held on 11th December between the Premier of the Eastern Cape and all executive Mayors. Following this meeting, the Premier addressed a letter to the National Coronavirus Command Council on Friday, requesting that all beaches, recreational parks and open spaces in the Eastern Cape be closed and declared out of bounds for the festive season. He said that this decision was taken in an effort to minimize the mobility of people from high risk areas to low risk areas and vice versa, as well as to avoid large crowds gathering in recreational spaces.
President Ramaposa addressed the nation on 14th December declaring the Sarah Baartman District and the Garden Route to be Corona Virus Hotspots. New regulations were announced effective 16th December and confirmed in Government Gazette 43997 dated 15 December. A meeting of the Ndlambe JOC was held yesterday to discuss the interpretation of the rules announced in the Gazette pertinent to Ndlambe. In summary:
- The wearing of masks, covering both the nose and mouth is mandatory for every person when in a public place / place of business.
- All beaches in the Eastern Cape and Garden Route are closed from 16 December to 3 January.
- All public parks are closed to the public from 16 December – 3 January.
- No consumption of alcohol in public spaces including parks is allowed
- Rivers is open for licensed fishing and boating. When boating all protocols and capacity of craft should be adhered to.
- Hiking trails, excluding beach hikes, are open the public
- Fishing is allowed on the beach or riverbank, however, the fisherman must be in possession of a valid fishing license.
- Alcohol sales from retail outlets are restricted to Monday to Thursday 10am to 6pm.
- Closing times for churches, social venues, cinemas, casinos, restaurants, bars, taverns, sports art and culture facilities is 21h00 daily.
These regulations will be communicated via loud hailing, radio, social media and through our local newspaper, Talk of the Town.
The latest statistics available to us are as follows:
Port Alfred cumulative cases 1279, active cases 68, recoveries 1175, deaths 36, fatality rate 3%
Boesmansriver cumulative cases 257, active cases 20, recoveries 232, deaths 5, fataility rate 2%
Kenton cumulative cases 243, active cases 18, recoveries 220, deaths 5, fatality rate 2%
Alexandria cumulative cases 306, active cases 14, recoveries 280, deaths 12, fatality rate 4%
Bathurst cumulative cases 211, active cases 7, recoveries 196, deaths 3%, fatality rate 4%
Total cumulative cases 2296, active cases 127, recoveries, 2103, deaths 66, fatality rate 3%
MAYOR KULULWA NCAMISO