With regards to the Disaster Management Act, 2002 amendments to regulations issued in terms of Section 27 (2) of the Government Gazette No. 43199 of 2 April 2020 states the following:

Chapter 3 clause 7 (e) “5. dealing with the amendments of Annexure B to the regulations, stipulates that grocery stores and wholesale produce markets, including spaza shops and informal food traders can operate if written permission from a municipal authority has been issued.

Strict conditions will be applied to ensure compliance with the Disaster Management Act and the Lockdown principles to curb the spread of COVID-19.

In line with the regulations spaza shops and informal traders will only be allowed to sell the following items:

 i. Food     

1. a)            Any food product, including non-alcoholic beverages;
2. b)            Animal food; and
3. c)            Chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in the production of any food product.

ii. Cleaning and Hygiene Products

1. a)            Toilet Paper, sanitary pads, sanitary tampons, condoms;
2. b)            Hand sanitiser, disinfectants, soap, alcohol for industrial use, household cleaning products, and personal protective equipment; and
3. c)            Chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in the production of any of the above.

iii.           Medical:

a)            Medical hospital supplies, equipment and personal protective equipment; and

b)            Chemicals, packaging and ancillary products use in the production of any of the above

iv. Fuel, including coal and gas

 v. Basic goods, including airtime and electricity.

The supply or delivery of cooked/prepared meals/food will not be allowed.

STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF SALDANHA BAY MUNICIPALITY, ALDERMAN MARIUS KOEN

Dear Resident and Visitors to the Saldanha Bay Municipal Area

Our community is experiencing an unprecedented attack on its healthcare, safety and security.  The past week has been challenging and placed a high demand on all of our reserves.  We would like to thank residents and current visitors who have diligently adhered to the current nation-wide lockdown regulations.  It is strongly believed that the only way to stop the Coronavirus from spreading is for individuals and household members to stay home and prescribe to social distancing as much as possible.

As from Saturday, 4 April 2020 our towns will enter into a full lockdown phase with specific restrictions in terms of inter-town movement.  It is understood that the lockdown has caused great disruption to all our lives and caused upheaval in our economy, but we agree that this response is absolutely necessary to save the lives of our people.

The lockdown requires of all individuals and households to make certain personal sacrifices.  We urge residents to:

• Be advised to only purchase all essentials within the respective areas where they live.  Nobody will be allowed to shop outside the towns where they reside.
• Buy from local stores and service providers only.
• If possible, substitute your normal brands with what is available locally during this time.
• Should you require emergency or essential medical services, prescription medication or essential products such as food, which is not available in your town, you have every right to access such goods and service in a nearby town or at your regular pharmacy or your nearest emergency medical facility.
• It is advised that, in the instance where you leave your place of residence to obtain prescription medication or if you have a doctor’s note for a medical appointment, that you keep a copy in your possession whilst traveling.
• Suppliers of essential goods and services must be able to provide permits when delivering such goods or when performing their services.
• The Municipality cannot grant permission to individuals for traveling.  You can explain the purpose of your traveling to the Law Enforcement upon being stopped.  Alternatively, you can obtain a signed affidavit in this regard from the local police station and present it to the law enforcement officials.