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www.thevillagenews.co.za
27 May 2020
Overberg named as a COVID-19 hotspot Writer De Waal Steyn There is still uncertainty over what the effect on residents and businesses will be after the Overberg was named by Pres Cyril Ramaphosa as one of several COVID-19 hotspots countrywide. This follows the president’s announcement on Sunday 24 May that the whole country will be moving to Alert Level 3 of the lockdown from 1 June. This level will see an easing of several regulations, including the lifting of the ban on the sale of liquor, but not on cigarettes and other tobacco-related products. In a televised address, Ramaphosa said details of the new regulations
would be made available when discussions have been concluded. He added, however, that areas of the country where infection numbers are high, which he referred to as “hotspots”, may see more stringent restrictions, compared to other parts of the country. According to Level 3 regulations, curfews will be discontinued, outdoor exercise may take place at any time, and alcohol sales by liquor stores (though not bars) for off-premises consumption will be permitted. Most manufacturing, construction, financial services, professional and business services, information technology, government services, and media services can be reopened, while wholesale and retail trade will be fully functional, including stores,
spaza shops and informal traders. However, many businesses will not be allowed to trade, including hairdressers and beauty salons, restaurants (apart from takeaways for delivery, collection or drive-through services), bars, taverns, and shebeens, or nightclubs and casinos.
except for funerals, with an attendance of no more than 50 people, or meetings in the workplace for work purposes. People are requested to stay at home, especially those over 60 and people with underlying health conditions. No visiting of friends or family will be allowed.
Hotels, lodges and other accommodation facilities will remain closed, as well as gyms and sporting facilities, cinemas, flea markets and bazaars. For now, churches will also have to remain closed. But Ramaphosa said that proposals for partial access to "spiritual worship" – subject to certain norms and standards – are being considered.
For reopening businesses, Ramaphosa said that, where possible, employees should continue to work from home, and on site, companies would have to adhere to strict control measures. All staff who are older than 60 years of age and those who suffer from underlying conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer should stay at home.
All gatherings will remain prohibited,
However, differentiated lockdown
levels for different parts of the country could see those with severe Coronavirus infections stepped back a level (or two). "Should it be necessary, any part of the country could be returned to alert levels four or five if the spread of infection is not contained despite our interventions, and there is a risk of our health facilities being overwhelmed," he said. A hotspot is defined as an area that has more than five infected people per 100 000, or where new infections are increasing at a particularly rapid rate. Cape Town, the Cape West Coast, Overberg and Cape Winelands district municipalities were mentioned as hotspots in the Western Cape. The list of hotspot areas will be reviewed every two weeks depending on the progression of the virus.
Guidelines for the reopening of schools T
he Western Cape Minister of Education, Debbie Schäfer has confirmed that the following plans for the reopening of schools are being implemented, adding that “some are still being finalised, and some may change as we learn more”.
Preparation of school premises In preparation for reopening, the WCED placed orders for school safety and hygiene packs that will be received by principals at all public schools. These include two masks for every learner and staff member, hand sanitiser and liquid soap, cleaning materials and non-contact digital thermometers. Principals will also oversee the thorough cleaning of schools in preparation for the arrival of school staff and learners. The cleaning materials being delivered to schools include bleach, which is recommended by both South African and international health authorities for disinfecting surfaces. According to the NICD, the virus does not live longer than 72 hours on a surface, and is not airborne. Simply put, if there have been no people in the buildings, the virus cannot be there.
Learners and staff with comorbidities An interim list of conditions that present a risk for staff and learners as ‘comorbidities’, such as hypertension, diabetes and TB, has been sent to schools. This list specifies in detail which conditions are regarded by health experts as high risk, and how they are measured. Principals and Senior Management Teams will be compiling confidential lists of learners and staff with these conditions.
Parents whose children have comorbidities will be offered the opportunity to oversee their children’s learning at home with the support of the Department over the next few months, or until restrictions are lifted. A letter will be sent to schools with a form for parents to sign indicating their intention to keep their child at home and to oversee their learning. Staff with these conditions will need to provide a medical report on the nature and duration of the illness. Appropriate work arrangements and/or potential leave may then be considered. Screening of staff and learners for COVID-19 symptoms The issue of screening has caused concern amongst some staff mem-
bers, who feel that they are not able to screen others because they are not health professionals. Screening is a simple process that involves asking an individual some basic questions as to whether they are experiencing any symptoms, and taking their temperature with a non-contact digital thermometer pointed at the forehead.
This requires no medical expertise – in fact, many of our residents will have already encountered ordinary shop, bank and workplace staff performing screening as Level 4 economic activity expanded. Detailed guidelines on this process have been sent to schools. In our view, the most practical solution is for staff at schools to undertake this task. This is going to have to be done every day with every child and staff member. If there is only one person to do this, it will take up much-needed time for teaching. In addition, if school staff do it, it minimises the risks posed by additional people coming onto school premises. It is important that schools devise a method to implement this as quickly as possible, to minimise loss of teaching time. Physical Distancing As grades are due to return in phases,
there will be ample space for classes to be spread out to maintain the required 1.5m between learners for the first grades returning. The difficulty arises when more grades return to school, and space becomes a problem. One of the key tasks of our returning Senior Management Teams is to develop plans to teach in a new way, whilst the appropriate physical distance is maintained. Let us be clear: we have no intention of relaxing the physical distancing requirement at schools. When this maximum number is exceeded in the phased return, we are currently determining which option will be implemented – be it grades attending class on alternate days, the use of school halls as classrooms, or any of the many helpful proposals we have received from officials and the public alike. But we will not reduce or remove the physical distancing requirement.
Curriculum There is no way that the curriculum in its original form could be ‘caught up’ before the end of the year, without putting further pressure on our teachers, parents and children. So the Department of Basic Education has trimmed the curriculum to ensure that the essential concepts required
for progression to the next grade are taught. This does not apply to matric, though, which will proceed as normal, with catch-up plans to be implemented. We do not plan to have ‘matric camps’ in the Western Cape, as per some media reports. Transport For learners who rely on our learner transport scheme, we have been engaging with our service providers to ensure that they institute the appropriate sanitation measures. Detailed guidelines on these measures will be issued to providers and schools. Those who are using public transport must follow the guidelines as set out in the regulations published by the Minister of Transport:
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Minibus taxis may only be 70% full (11 people including driver in a 16-seater minibus) Busses may only be 50% full Driver and marshals must wear a mask Hand sanitiser must be available for passengers The vehicle must be sanitised – especially handles, arm rests and handrails – before and after every trip
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