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www.thevillagenews.co.za
19 August 2020
Efforts to save economy underway From P1 According to Pres Ramaphosa, in the days, weeks and months that lie ahead, we must urgently focus our efforts on recovery. “Our economy and our society have suffered a great deal. As we return to economic activity across almost all industries – and work to repair the damage done – we have a responsibility to not let our guard down as individuals, employers, communities, families, professionals, workers and citizens. None of us wants a return to the early days of extreme lockdown restrictions. We want to move on with our lives. We want our friends and loved ones to remain healthy and safe. “As a nation, let us continue to work together to ensure that we progress. The move to Alert Level 2 of the lockdown is not a ‘free for all.’ The rules on social distancing, mask wearing, and social gatherings remain,” said Ramaphosa. In his response to the easing of restrictions, Western Cape Premier
Alan Winde said he welcomes the announcements which will help ease the burden that many businesses have faced over the past few months. “We now need to tackle the second pandemic of unemployment, hunger and increased levels of poverty which we face. “As a province, we welcome the announcements which will impact the tourism, hospitality and agri-processing industries, which are significant job creators in the Western Cape. As the Western Cape Government, we are going to be committing our energy to developing a recovery plan which will focus on jobs, safety, dignity and wellbeing, while ensuring that our hotspot interventions remain in place to slow the spread of the virus,” said Winde. “We have worked around the clock as a province to slow the spread of Covid-19 and to put in place all of the medical interventions that were required for this pandemic. We will not lose any of this focus and drive as we now turn our attention to the economy, to saving jobs and
addressing the humanitarian crisis. In return, we ask the people of this province to partner with us. To step up and to take personal responsibility to ensure that as we restart the engines of our economy, we continue to contain and slow Covid-19. “Businesses must operate safely, with all of the correct protocols in place, and as individuals we must abide by the remaining regulations, wear our masks, practice social distancing and keep up with hygiene practices such as hand washing and regular cleaning of surfaces,” he concluded. The following is allowed under Level 2 restrictions:
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All inter-provincial travel is allowed; Accommodation, hospitality venues and tours are permitted according to approved protocols to ensure social distancing. For the first time since lockdown started, Airbnb establishments are allowed to operate; Restaurants, bars and taverns are permitted to operate according
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to approved protocols in terms of times of operation and numbers of people; The suspension of the sale of alcohol is lifted, subject to restrictions that include the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption in licensed establishments until 22:00. Liquor outlets are allowed to sell alcohol for off-site consumption from Monday to Thursday between 09:00 and 17:00. Thus, you are allowed to consume alcohol at a restaurant or bar until 22:00 on a weekend; Restrictions on the sale of tobacco are lifted; Family and social visits are allowed, although people are urged to exercise extreme caution and undertake such visits only if necessary. No more than 10 visitors are allowed at your house at one time; Beaches, parks and nature reserves are open; Gyms and fitness centres will reopen with strict health and safety protocols in place.
The following restrictions will remain in place:
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Current restrictions on international travel; No gatherings of more than 50 people will be permitted. Among others, this includes funerals, weddings and religious events. Night vigils are still not permitted; Spectators will not be permitted at sporting events; No more than 50 people are allowed at events, in cinemas or gyms. The same applies to sports grounds and fields as well as swimming pools; The curfew will remain in place between 22:00 and 04:00; While restaurants and taverns may open with a limit of 50 people, nightclubs must remain closed; No initiation practices are allowed for males or females until the national state of disaster is over; The wearing of masks in public places still remains obligatory.
People are encouraged to stay at home if they can and, if possible, to work from home, especially if they are over the age of 60 or have underlying health conditions.
No HPP patrols until SRA is completed Writer De Waal Steyn Hermanus Public Protection (HPP) patrols came to an end on Friday 14 August after it was announced by HPP that the current cash reserves are running low and that services will need to be scaled down further. This comes after residents were informed at the end of last month about a delay in the establishment of the Hermanus Special Rating Area (HSRA) process. “Indications are that HPP will only have the authority to function as the HSRA management body from October 2020. Cumbersome processes to fulfil obligations in terms of the Overstrand Municipality’s SRA policy and bylaw are in part the cause of the delay,” said HPP chairperson, Errol van Staden in a letter. “Whilst property owners within the
HPP area will commence payment of a mandatory HSRA levy with effect 1 July 2020, these monies will not be transferred to HPP until all statutory processes have been completed, and a finance agreement finalised.” In the meantime the municipality said in a statement: “As has been undertaken by Mayor Dudley Coetzee, and until such time as the management body of the newly-established HSRA has been registered as a non-profit company in terms of the Companies Act, Overstrand Law Enforcement Officers will assist with foot patrols in the CBD area, Cliff Paths and Hoy's Koppie on a daily basis. Members of the Law Enforcement Task Team and Traffic Services will also assist during this period.” Municipal Manager, Coenie Groenewald said the municipality assisted residents since February 2019 in following the legislated process in preparing submission of an applica-
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tion for approval of the HSRA. “This process was completed, inclusive of executing a perception survey, publishing notices to inform members of the community and conducting several public meetings. A voting process was subsequently attended to by the HSRA Steering Committee, followed by submission of an application to Council for approval of an SRA, and completion of the objection period during March 2020. “The proposed additional rate was thus also part of the tabling of the Draft Budget and proposed rates and tariffs on 25 March 2020, with the final budget approval by Council on 27 May 2020, inclusive of all rates and tariffs applicable from 1 July 2020,” he said. According to him the HSRA Steering Committee indicated that the existing HPP company, which served
as the management body of the old Central Improvement District, will be the preferred company to register a new Memorandum of Incorporation (MOI) as a new HPP non-profit company (NPC), in accordance with the prescripts of Special Rating Area legislation. HPP is in the process of winding up as a management body in terms of a Council resolution.
dance with the finance agreement can be made to the HSRA,” said Groenewald.
The MOI, as a requirement for registration of HPP NPC as the HSRA management body, was finalised in a collaboration between the HSRA Steering Committee and the municipality during June, with the final version made available on 2 July 2020.
Suburbs included in the HSRA are Westcliff, Westdene, Industria, Northcliff, the Central Business District (CBD), Eastcliff, Hermanus Heights, Fernkloof, Kwaaiwater and Voëlklip. The special rate levy that property owners will pay, is available on the HSRA website at www. hermanussra.co.za.
“Registration of the new HPP NPC is currently awaited, to sign the finance agreement with the municipality, as finalised in collaboration with the HSRA Steering Committee. On receipt of the necessary documentation, monthly payments in accor-
COVID-19 and Gum Disease – a dangerous combination? Gum Disease (GD) attacks the gums and bone around your teeth and the classic signs are swelling, redness and bleeding on brushing or flossing, while late signs include spaces/ gaps between teeth and loose teeth. Almost all people develop GD at some stage in their lives.
as well. The most disturbing thing about GD for the patient is the fact that it very rarely causes discomfort and almost never pain. Periodontitis – or, as older people might remember it, Pyorrhea – is the reason for the old saying, ‘Getting long in the tooth’ as the gums recede.
Correct brushing and flossing techniques are essential to prevent Gum Disease (GD). It may however develop into periodontitis, which is the more serious type of GD affecting not only the gums but destroying the jawbone
Now the latest research to be published in the USA in October 2020 also points to a connection between GD and adverse outcomes to Covid-19 infection. GD affects more than two thirds of people over the age of 65,
“The additional rate as raised on municipal accounts in the HSRA mapped area, are payable at the latest by 20 August 2020 to the municipality, to continue for the full term of the HSRA as approved.”
The foot patrollers will be visible in neon orange reflective bibs. Any suspicious activity can be reported to the 24-hour law enforcement number at 028 313 8996.
which is also the age group more prone to serious Covid-19 disease. Periodontitis not only plays a role in cardio-vascular disease but also diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease. It is a risk for systemic disease through the secretion of inflammatory messengers into the bloodstream, which may cause damage elsewhere in the body. These inflammatory messengers are also seen in Covid-19 infection and are responsible for the more serious sequela of the disease.
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Karen
Treating GD will lower the systemic burden of inflammatory mediators and reduce the risk of developing respiratory complications when contracting Covid-19 infection.
A: 9 College Rd, Hermanus, 7200 | T: 028 312 1510 | AH: 064 640 8394 | E: info@andrevanzyl.co.za
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