UDEXpress UITENHAGE DESPATCH
‘Express’ will be with you every step of the way. You’re not alone, we’re
#InItTogether
Follow us on Facebook for up-to-date reports on the novel coronavirus and other breaking news and videos.
30 000 COPIES WEEKLY
THURSDAY April 2, 2020 | 0 041 992 5639 | Fax 086 457 4375 | Email udexpress@media24.com | EDITOR: HEILIE COMBRINCK
LOCKDOWN: YOU’RE NOT ALONE, WE’RE IN IT TOGETHER! ‘Express’ continues providing vital news, human interest stories and ways of dealing with these challenging times . . .
BETTIE GILIOMEE-ROSSOUW – EP MEDIA REGIONAL EDITOR
U
NPRECEDENTED. This word is the best way to sum up the situation that the world is grappling with owing to an invisible enemy.
And in times of crisis and uncertainty, the first casualty is accurate information. Fake news and paranoia at times are spreading faster than the Covid-19 virus itself. This is probably one of the main reasons why the South African government decided to include media as an essential service that will be allowed to continue operations during the 21-day national lockdown that President Cyril Ramaphosa announced to curb
NEWS
SPCA needs your support
2
and contain the worst impact of Covid-19 in South Africa. Now, more than ever, the people of South Africa need information that they can trust. And that is exactly what UD Express and the other local newspaper titles in the EP Media group will continue to do across the Eastern Cape. We will keep our communities informed and be a source of accurate and reliable information. Above all, we want the people of our communities to know that while they are at home during lockdown, they are not alone; We are #InItTogether. In these difficult weeks and perhaps months to come, our role in providing vital and trusted news, the human interest stories about positive contributions made by people in trying times, as well as ways of
LEEFSTYL
Oppermans se 70 goue jare
3
dealing with these challenging times, have never been more vital, especially for those members of the community whose only source of news is free community newspapers. As we experience the impact of Covid-19 spreading across the world and South Africa as well, we hope that our readers and community members continue to stay safe. Media24 is taking the situation very seriously and has weeks before the lockdown implemented several precautionary measures to mitigate the impact of the spread of the virus on our business and ensure the safety of our staff. A week before the lockdown was announced the majority of staff had already been enabled to work from home to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff, and
LANDBOU
Pampoen-prinse en -prinsesse
7
also as little as possible disruption in our service to the community. Local newspapers have also been granted permission by government to continue with door-to-door deliveries of local newspapers. All our contractors and service providers received strict guidelines on regular and thorough disinfecting of vehicles and this is being monitored and inspected. All our contractors, including the teams delivering our newspapers, have been supplied with hand sanitisers and clear instructions on how to use them before, during and after handling our products. These too are being monitored. As with most companies in South Africa, this is all new to us. We welcome our readers’ input on this. Stay safe and remember: We are #InItTogether.
FITNESS
Easy exercises to do at home
8