Update on Saldanha Bay Municipality’s COVID-19 Disaster Management Joint Operations Centre
STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF SALDANHA BAY MUNICIPALITY, ALDERMAN MARIUS KOEN
Since the national lockdown due to COVID-19 on midnight Thursday, 26 March 2020, stakeholders within Saldanha Bay Municipality’s advisory forum have been working together to ensure that our municipal area complies with the conditions of the national lockdown, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The work seen from cluster leaders has been tremendous and has been able to keep our Disaster Management Centre operational.
The Safety and Security Cluster has been involved in enforcing regulations in terms of the nationwide lockdown in collaboration with the South African Police Services, Law Enforcement, Fire Services, and Municipal and Provincial Traffic Services.
I would like to inform residents of the following:
- A Joint Operations Centre (JOC) is coordinating all the role-players, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
- Roadblocks are conducted 24 hours per day on the R27 between Engen and KM101 and the R45 where the screening of individuals coming into our area is conducted.
- All taxi ranks in our area are closed, however, the transportation of citizens to purchase essential goods has been a challenge.
- We continue to monitor the transportation of essential workers through public transport.
- The consumption of alcohol remains a challenge within our communities during this period. We closed eight shebeens and confiscated alcohol in this process.
- To date, we arrested and charged 67 individuals in terms of the Disaster Management Regulation 11 b) (1).
- Spaza shops are also a challenge due to their operating times. We requested all licensed Spaza Shops to close at 18:00.
- In order to minimise the movement of people between towns, we instituted a road control measure in all our towns. Please cooperate with our officers when you see the yellow barricades.
- We continue to loud hail in order to inform and educate our citizens. We have noted with great concern the movement of children on our streets.
- We are also concerned about the disregarding of these regulations by citizens, particularly within our hotspot areas.
Media Enquiries:
Ethne Lawrence – Communications and Public Relations Officer
Email: Ethne.Lawrence@sbm.gov.za
