Media Release: Garden Route district homeless are cared for during the COVID-19 pandemic
For Immediate Release
16 April 2020
Since the first case of Coronavirus (COVID-19) was confirmed in the Garden Route district, homeless people were amongst many who were identified as the extremely vulnerable to the impact of the virus.
For this reason, the Department of Social Development (DSD), Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and local municipalities in the district, worked and planned together at the GRDM command centre to make arrangements to accommodate these vulnerable at temporary shelters for the homeless.
At a social cluster meeting held on 15 April, it was reported that approximately 250 homeless persons are housed at these shelters. However, according to Ms Una Petersen from DSD the number of homeless people fluctuate on a daily basis.
Mr Jason Rondganger from George Municipality, prepares meals for the residents at the Rosemoor Stadium. Photos: George Municipality
Some of the shelters that are currently utilised include: Itemba Shelter in Oudtshoorn, the Rosemoor Stadium inclusive of the clubhouse in George, Loerie Park stadium in Knysna, Native Roots in Bitou, Shack Shack, Bay Vista and the Haven in Mossel Bay. Furthermore, in Hessequa tents are put up at premises of families to accommodate their homeless family members.
Apart from having a roof over their heads and beds to sleep on, these individuals are also provided with hot meals on a daily basis.
In order to fit the criteria and to be considered as temporary resident at these shelters, each person is screened at a local clinic where after the South African Police Service transports them to a shelter nearby.
As of 00h01 on 15 April, the Western Cape has recorded 676 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.
Total confirmed COVID-19 cases
676
Total recoveries
192
Total deaths
7
Total active cases (total cases-recoveries-deaths)
477
Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:
Sub-district
Cases
Western
206
Southern
150
Northern
34
Tygerberg
62
Eastern
43
Klipfontein
37
Mitchells Plain
18
Khayelitsha
21
Total
571
Sub Districts Non-Metro:
District
Sub-district
Cases
Garden Route
Bitou
5
Garden Route
Knysna
13
Garden Route
George
13
Garden Route
Hessequa
5
Garden Route
Mossel Bay
17
Garden Route
Oudtshoorn
2
Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch
16
Cape Winelands
Drakenstein
6
Cape Winelands
Breede Valley
7
Cape Winelands
Langeberg
1
Cape Winelands
Witzenberg
1
Overberg
Overstrand
10
Overberg
Theewaterskloof
1
West Coast
Saldanha Bay Municipality
3
West Coast
Swartland
2
Unallocated: 3
There are currently 37 Covid-19 positive people being treated in hospitals in the province, with 18 of these in intensive care.
Premier Alan Winde on a visit to the newly opened testing and triage centre at the Mitchells Plain Hospital.
Mitchells Plain testing and triage centre:
Today, we opened the new testing and triage centre at the Mitchells Plain hospital. This is one of 17 such facilities planned for the province. These centres help to take the pressure off of emergency centres and allow a dedicated space for patients who are symptomatic, or believe they require testing, to be triaged, screened and tested.
Similar facilities are already operational at Tygerberg and Paarl hospitals. Testing and triage centres are also planned for Khayelitsha and the Garden Route.
The facilities have been designed with social distancing in mind and have been set up so that symptomatic and asymptomatic patients are seated in separate areas.
They can also be easily converted, should the need arise, to create additional bed space.
This is just one aspect of our medical response to the coronavirus-aimed at ensuring our facilities are geared to provide the appropriate care and to stop the spread. We are currently exploring the use of sites across the province where temporary care, quarantine or isolation facilities can be created, should the need arise.
Community testing update:
A total of 17 275 people were screened in the province in the first week of testing (4-10 April). Of these, a total of 1220 people have been tested as part of this initiative. We thank those communities where people have come out in their numbers to be screened and tested. This helps us to identify possible pockets of infection, and move swiftly to start contact tracing, isolating and quarantining.
Screening will be conducted in the following places tomorrow:
Southern Western Subdistrict: Imizamo Yethu, Du Noon
Klipfontein Mitchells Plain Subdistrict: Gugulethu, Nyanga, Silvertown, Heinz Park, Manenberg
Khayelitsha Eastern Subdistrict: Mfuleni, Macassar, Site C (Khayelitsha)
Non-metro:
Cape Winelands: Mbekweni, Drommedaris
Garden Route: Asla Park, Notina Street Block, Zoar, Amalienstein, Vanwyksdorp, Calitzdorp, Ladismith.
Third Thursday reminder:
Due to the phenomenal public response to our First Thursday radio show, I will be hosting a Third Thursday show Question and Answer show between 6pm and 7pm tomorrow. This will be an hour long show which will be facilitated at Bush Radio and simulcast across several stations across the province. Listeners will be able to call in on 021 448 6266, WhatsApp on 061 862 1065 or SMS keyword Covid-19 to 32158 followed by their question, name and area. Each SMS costs R1.00
As of 00h01 on 14 April, the Western Cape has recorded 657 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.
Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:
Sub-district
Cases
Western
202
Southern
141
Northern
32
Tygerberg
61
Eastern
42
Klipfontein
35
Mitchells Plain
16
Khayelitsha
19
Total
548
Sub Districts Non-Metro:
District
Sub-district
Cases
Garden Route
Bitou
5
Garden Route
Knysna
13
Garden Route
George
13
Garden Route
Hessequa
5
Garden Route
Mossel Bay
17
Garden Route
Oudtshoorn
2
Cape Winelands
Stellenbosch
16
Cape Winelands
Drakenstein
6
Cape Winelands
Breede Valley
6
Cape Winelands
Langeberg
1
Cape Winelands
Witzenberg
1
Overberg
Overstrand
9
Overberg
Theewaterskloof
1
West Coast
Saldanha Bay Municipality
3
West Coast
Swartland
2
Unallocated: 9
A total of 184 recoveries have been recorded (in line with NICD guidelines on recoveries) in the province.
A note on today’s statistics: A case allocated to Bitou yesterday has been re-assigned to Witzenberg after address details were updated. We apologise for the inconvenience. The laboratories sometimes use patient addresses already on file at the time of testing, which are then corrected during the follow-up and contact tracing processes.
There are currently 35 Covid-19 positive people being treated in hospitals in the province, with 18 of these in intensive care.
Premier Alan Winde has his temperature read before entering the premises at the KWay factory in Ottery.
Cloth masks:
Today I had the opportunity to visit two clothing manufacturers who have repurposed their factories in order to make cloth masks. The KWay factory in Ottery and the Reliance Clothing factory in Observatory have both recently repurposed their production lines in order to make cloth masks. The Western Cape Government has advised residents to wear cloth masks when going out into public places like grocery shops, pharmacies and to medical facilities.
Worn correctly, clean cloth masks, in conjunction with hand washing, social distancing and other hygiene measures, are a tool to help stop the spread.
At the same time, these companies have been able to bring back some of their production staff to perform this essential service, and provide work to home-based CMTs, who would otherwise have no other source of income during this period.
While visiting the workspaces, I was pleased to see various measures in place to ensure the safety of their staff, including reduced numbers of people to ensure social distancing, and strict hygiene measures. All staff were also wearing their own cloth masks.
As we prepare to transition out of the lockdown phase in a few weeks, we must prepare individuals, workplaces and businesses for the “new normal”. This will mean taking extra precautions to prevent further infections while we ramp up economic activity again.
We encourage those who can do so, to make their own masks, and also to make for or donate to less fortunate communities.
Community screening and testing:
Community testing and screening will be conducted in the following areas tomorrow:
Southern Western Subdistrict: Imizamo Yethu, Du Noon, Lotus River, Grassy Park
Klipfontein Mitchells Plain Subdistrict: Gugulethu, Nyanga, Silvertown, Hanover Park, Manenberg
Khayelitsha Eastern Subdistrict: Mfuleni, Macassar, Site C (Khayelitsha)
Non-metro:
Cape Winelands: Mbekweni, White City
Garden Route: Asla Park, Fikile Street Block, Zoar, Amalienstein, Vanwyksdorp, Calitzdorp, Ladismith
West Coast: Vredendal Noord, Mangaung, Piketberg, Old Asla Houses, Riverview South Citrusdal, Clanwilliam (Khayelitsha), Malmesbury (Ilingilethu), Saldanha Town (Marikanna, Middel pos)
Screening sites may be changed at short notice.
Lockdown humanitarian aid:
The Coronavirus has resulted in widespread economic hardship for many South Africans and we are extremely worried that many vulnerable communities no longer have the means to put food on the table.
In order to respond to this major challenge, during the lockdown, the Western Cape Government has assigned R53 million in additional funding which will be used for emergency school feeding, to bolster the Department of Social Development’s feeding programmes and for the once-off creation and distribution of 50 000 food parcels.
Earlier today, community unrest broke out in Mitchells Plain around the distribution of food parcels. We also saw looting in certain areas. This demonstrates the serious humanitarian challenge facing communities across our country, and the need for increased support from SASSA and national government in addition to our emergency measures. We urge all residents to abide by the law and looting cannot be tolerated.
We are pleased that SASSA has started distributing food relief. As the lead agency charged with social support to the poor in terms of the Social Assistance Act, they have an important role to play in helping communities through this tremendously difficult time. We hope that they continue to do more to help vulnerable communities – in line with their mandate, and we urge the national minister to reconsider her directive closing all of SASSA’s local offices during the lockdown period. We also look forward to working with National Government on their humanitarian relief programmes, and we hope to see these details soon.
With respect to the Western Cape Government’s emergency additional funding which was approved as a result of the lockdown: each individual request will be assessed by departmental officials based on the criteria set out below.
DSD social workers complete the screening and assessments of all beneficiaries, to ensure that those individuals who are the most vulnerable, benefit from the limited food parcels that are available.
The food parcels will support an average household for one month and will be based on the following qualifying criteria:
Households affected by COVID-19 infections in the following instances:
– A member/s of the family who tested positive for the virus and are in quarantine in their homes.
– A household where a member of the family who tested positive for the virus and who have insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period.
A person who is on medication or who suffers from a chronic illness and have insufficient means to sustain themselves, and was assessed and referred by a local clinic or registered health practitioner.
A person and their household who have insufficient means to sustain themselves during the lockdown period who was referred by a registered humanitarian relief agency, registered NPO or a municipal manager, and assessed by DSD. In this instance, persons not yet in receipt of SASSA grants, including the elderly, child headed houses, grant awaiting beneficiaries will be prioritised.
The current situation we find ourselves in is unprecedented and as the lockdown is set to continue until the end of the month, affecting the ability to earn a living across our province, we are likely to see more people needing assistance. This is something that is going to take effort from all levels of government and of society to solve. Now is the time for kindness, empathy and generosity. We know that this is a difficult time for many, but we call on those individuals, businesses and NGOs who are able to assist, to do so. To find out more about how to assist, visit the How You Can Help page at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus. We thank all of those organisations and people who have stepped up to help their fellow citizens.
Media Release: Licences and certificates of acceptability for informal food trading (uncooked) during COVID-19 lockdown
For Immediate Release 14 April 2020
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) municipal health officials continue to issue Certificates of Acceptability (COA) to informal food traders where municipalities allow them to trade. It is however important to note that not all local municipalities are issuing licences. Knysna, Bitou, Hessequa and Kannaland municipalities continue to issue new licences while George, Mossel Bay and Greater Oudtshoorn municipalities do not. COAs issued prior to the lockdown will continue to be renewed where applicable.
The trading conditions for licenced informal food traders are:
trading hours from 08:00 to 18:00;
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the trader (mask, sanitisers and gloves), and the availability of water;
no selling of unpermitted goods e.g. cigarettes;
a distance of at least one metre apart should be maintained between trading stalls;
customers to be at least one metre apart and the trader is responsible for ensuring that these distances are maintained; and
traders must have the permit available for inspection at all times.
The following documents must accompany the applications:
Identity document or refugee permit;
existing trading permit; and
concession letter.
Contact details of chief municipal health officials responsible for issuing a COA are:
GRDM pleads with all informal food traders to co-operate with us and local municipalities in fighting this pandemic. Informal traders are reminded to please take the necessary precautionary measures to improve hygiene conditions in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Media Release: Statement by the Garden Route District Executive Mayor – Cllr Memory Booysen
For Immediate Release 14 April 2020
As the Executive Mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), I want to assure residents of the Garden Route district that even though the world has temporarily turned upside down because of the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are hard at work to ensure that our economy thrives again.
As a district, we know that the nation-wide lockdown of 35 days has hit several industries and businesses very hard; hence we want to reassure businesses in our District that we are working closely with other key collaborative partners, to provide clarity and credible information to them.
These collaborative partners include:
The Western Cape Departments of Economic Development and Tourism
Department of Agriculture
WESGRO
Department of Unemployment and Labour
local municipalities
South Cape Economic Partnership (SCEP)
Business Chambers and -forums
Afrikaanse Handels Instituut Wes-kaap (AHI WC)
Small Business Forum
SEDA
business partners
We have established a Garden Route COVID-19 Economy Cluster which aims to assist businesses to navigate through opportunities for business assistance, funding, payment relief, etc. Three (3) workstreams feed into this cluster namely, Business Continuity, Municipal Local Economic Development and Tourism.
To ensure that we fully understand what issues businesses face during these trying times, we and many others (SEDA, Business Partners, Sake Liga and the George Business Chamber) have initiated surveys to gain a clear picture of how COVID-19 has impacted them. All the data will be used to gain insights that will assist planning for the immediate, and medium to long term takes place, which include:
Business Continuity – through this period for the next year while the effects of the virus still have an influence (more so for the Tourism and Hospitality industry);
Business Revival / Rebuild – how to look internally at new business ideas to rebuild the local economies as we knew it; and
Business Innovation – what is the new normal and what can be done to implement totally new ideas that weren’t there before.
These are only a few of the aspects of our crisis response.
Last week, the Western Cape Government have launched an online tool which businesses can use to find and access appropriate government assistance. This tool can be accessed at https://www.supportbusiness.co.za/covid-19-support-finder/. Businesses can now access the Fund Finder facility through this website, to assess and determine exactly which financial or other assistance their businesses qualify for, be it government or private sector assistance.
We are hopeful that these efforts, structures and processes will help ensure the continuity and resilience of business operations during these turbulent economic times and post the national lockdown period, and in doing so, minimize the number of job losses resulting from this pandemic.
We want to encourage residents in the district to stay calm, adhere to the lockdown regulations, practice personal hygiene and maintain social distance. Together we can stop the spread.
Media Release: App launched to support entrepreneurs in the Western Cape
For Immediate Release 14 April 2020
On Tuesday, 6 April 2020 a new mobile application (app) called JUMP for Entrepreneurs Smartphone app was launched by the Western Cape Government, which guarantees trusted information, access to business networks, tools and advice to business owners in the Western Cape.
The app was develop by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism and is designed to be an innovative one-stop-shop of support for existing and potential businesses, with all the resources needed to start, scale and grow a business. The app will be updated with the latest information on the coronavirus relevant to businesses.
According to the Western Cape Government the app will also offer advice on industry sector experts on regulations, and guidelines to support businesses and their staff at this time, but will also be an invaluable resource into the future.
The Jump for entrepreneurs app is available and free to download on the App Store and Google Play and ‘’offer entrepreneurs a range of fantastic features including a map-driven database of more than 4 000 small businesses and service providers spread across the Western Cape’’. In other word, an entrepreneur will be able to list his/her business, find other businesses to network with, and support in their area.
Other features available in the app include:
How To – for guidance on starting and running your business
Biz Assist – to find local organisations and businesses to network with
JumpCast – for inspiring talks from experts and other entrepreneurs
JumpStart – a business health check that highlights new opportunities and ideas.
For new information on the JUMP app for entrepreneurs visit www.bizjump.co.za.
Media Release: Garden Route DM purchases half a million rand worth of essential goods for the vulnerable
For Immediate Release 9 April 2020
On 9 April 2020, Executive Mayor of GRDM Cllr Memory Booysen, informed local municipalities that R500 000.00 worth of essential goods are ready for collection at its Fire Station in George. These goods were purchased to aid local municipalities in assisting the most vulnerable communities in their areas. The delivery of items is expected to take place by tomorrow. “This R500 000.00 provides up to a week of essentials to 800 households of five members or less,” said Cllr Booysen.
Local Municipalities have been requested to identify the most vulnerable and in need of support that would not be addressed in terms of the Department Social Development (DSD) Social Relief of Distress (SDR) program. Strict measures will be in place to ensure that no duplication of distribution takes place, known as “double-dipping”. For this reason DSD officials and the municipalities will ensure that a centralised database is used. The South African Police Service will ensure that areas, where food parcels will be delivered, are secure and safe for those doing deliveries.
Last week DSD announced that the Department made R18 million available to distribute food parcels in the Western Cape of which 9 000 food parcels will be distributed to households in the Garden Route district from next week Thursday.
Manager of Disaster Manager at GRDM, Mr Gerhard Otto, highlighted: “To ensure that food is provided to all vulnerable residents for the period ahead, all municipalities are in the process to pledge their financial support to fill the gaps of the DSD funded programmes”.
Food items, toiletries and other necessities, donated by the public throughout the district will also contribute to the programme to ensure that no one is left unfed.
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality continues with disinfection of public areas
For Immediate Release 8 April 2020
While the number of Covid-19 positive cases are still increasing worldwide, the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently started with a disinfection programme to disinfect various informal settlements and public areas in the district. Prior to this initiative thorough training was provided to the teams to ensure that the correct processes are followed and also that each person is using suitable personal protective equipment during these operations. During this initiative special focus is placed on waiting rooms, meeting/committee rooms, facilities of the South African Police Service (SAPS) e.g. police cells, to name a few.
Firefighers disinfection public areas in Thembalethu. Photos & feature photo: George Herald
Disinfection operations at Courts and SAPS facilities in the Garden Route.
This morning the GRDM team continued with this initiative in George where they started off at Conville Police Station. Thereafter they disinfected the George Police Station and court, where after the Thembalethu Police Station and court followed suit. The next area of focus will be Pacaltsdorp. On 9 April the team also plans to address the Uniondale, Haarlem and Noll areas etc. which are situated next to the N9.
For the past week, since the initiative commenced, all efforts have been well-received. This is an indication that residents are fully aware of the seriousness of the pandemic. These efforts will keep the firefighters busy for a while, although they simultaneously have to deal with their first responsibility to ensure that reported fires in the district are contained, should the need arise.
The GRDM Management and Council at this stage would like to extend a word gratitude to all members of community and government departments for their cooperation throughout the process to ensure that the pandemic does not continue to spread. They also commended the GRDM firefighters (on-duty and standby crews, as well as volunteers) and Municipal Health officials for all their continued efforts during this initiative.
Firefighters disinfect courts in the Garden Route district.
Please find the application form for the Department Small Business Development’s (DSBD’s) Business Growth/ Resilience Facility and the Debt Relief Finance Facility (it’s one application form).
Also note that the attached form has the email addresses to which the completed application forms must be emailed.
