North West urges public to wear face masks

NW Command Council urges public to wear face masks

Mahikeng – The North West Provincial Coronavirus Command Council is concerned about the public’s evident non-adherence to the COVID-19 preventative measures, particularly the wearing of face masks, and has urged the law enforcement officers to keep a close watch on this behaviour. The Council reflected on this observation today during its virtual meeting, which was attended by Ministers and Deputy Ministers deployed to the province as National District Champions, the MECs, Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Chairperson of SALGA, Heads of Department and Administrators.

The Provincial Coronavirus Command Council highlighted the need to raise this alarm as a concerted effort to prevent the possible second wave of infections.

“While we note a steady decrease in the number of new and active infections in the province since August, we are concerned about the apparent public complacency, particularly on the use of masks. We need to caution the public that COVID-19 is not over, and that we have a collective responsibility to prevent a possible resurgence”, remarked Premier Prof. Tebogo Job Mokgoro who is also the chairperson of Provincial Command Council.

The Command Council also welcomed the Epidemiology report from the department of Health which showed that the province’s recovery rate is now at 91%, and that there is a further decrease in hospitalisation cases which were at 180 as at 02 October. The ICU and High Care numbers were ranging between 5 and 23 during the same period.

The Command Council welcomed the department’s resolve to continue educating the public about the significance of adhering to the preventative measures as well as strengthening the current strong focus on contact tracing.

In support of this contact tracing effort, the Command Council encourages members of the public to download the COVID-19 Alert App launched recently by the national department of Health, which lets users know when they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

“We urge the public to make a difference by adding their phones to the fight against the spread of COVID-19 using this contact tracing technology”, Premier Mokgoro said.

On the use of available quarantine sites, the Command Council agreed to keep all 13 government quarantine facilities across the province open, this to ensure availability of about 500 beds when a need arises.  

The Command Council also stressed the need for parents to allow learners to go back to school in order to avoid unintended consequences of an increase in school drop-outs. The meeting called on other community structures including the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders to forge hands with the department of Education and strategically encourage learners to go back to school.  

The Premier on behalf of the Command Council, urges members of the public to continue observing the Coronavirus prevention measures which include the washing of hands with water and soap regularly or use of an alcohol based sanitiser, wearing a face masks when in public places, keeping physical distance and covering the mouth with a flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.

Premier Mokgoro reiterated that through the consistent practicing of these hygiene tips, the fight to flatten the curve will be achieved and that COVID-19 will be finally defeated

Enquiries:
Vuyisile Ngesi
Tel: 061 056 3623
E-mail: vngesi@nwpg.gov.za

Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: Bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za

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