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Municipal Health

8 October 2020 Media Statement: Municipal communicators make shocking discoveries at illegal dump site

Media Statement: Municipal communicators make shocking discoveries at illegal dump site

For Immediate Release
8 October 2020

Municipal communicators from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently visited an illegal dump site in Pacaltsdorp to photograph the progress made by contractors tasked to clean sites. With shock, communicators noted a countless number of items, including toxic, sharp and dangerous ones, as well as foul smelling water – leaving one communicator almost vomiting from the stench. “The scariest part is that there were kids playing in the same area, metres from the dangerous field of waste and water,” said one communicator.

The GRDM, in collaboration with George Municipality are hard at work trying to clear illegal dump sites in the George area, including Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp. GRDM has committed R2.47 million to the project. George Municipality earlier announced that they will contribute R500 000.00 to curb illegal dumping. JCB backhoe loaders are utilised to clear sites and 35 Expanded Public Works Participant (EPWP) waste pickers work alongside these trucks to collect smaller items. More activities are lined up to take place over the next few months, including a survey to find out why people illegally discard of waste; and door-to-door awareness about the impact of illegal dumping , etc.

The question many Garden Routers is asking is – do we all want the areas cleaned or have many of us decided that a clean and safe environment is not important? The GRDM stumbled upon concerns raised on Facebook by a government employee who said that an illegal dumpsite was cleaned by the municipalities (Garden Route District and George), but moments later someone dumped their waste there again. Others commented on her post by saying that municipalities should plant trees at the sites, however this suggestion was said not to work because some community members might remove the trees. Another person said that the municipalities cleaned an area on a Monday, but by Tuesday the area was dirty again.

GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) monitor the areas each day after a clean-up was conducted. EHPs are already aware that water at illegal dumping sites are toxic, but a decision was made to take water samples which will be analysed. Test results will indicate how dangerous these sites are  (backed by scientific evidence).

The public are urged to remind their friends, family and neighbours that the illegal dumping of waste is dangerous and that it poses a health hazard. Waste should be collected in refuse bags and placed for collection on waste removal days. Builders’ rubble and waste not suitable for bags must be dropped at the municipal refuse site on the R102 (airport road).

Communities can provide names, vehicle registration details or addresses of alleged illegal dumpers and make a statement in this regard by contacting Law Enforcement at 044 801 6350 or sprins@george.gov.za. George Municipality states that a person doesn’t need a photograph of the perpetrator, but that it would strengthen the case for a warning or fine to be issued.

Members of the public are also welcome to report illegal dumpsites to 044 802 2900.

Illegal dumping remains an offence and carries a R1000 fine.

ENDS

 

30 September 2020 Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners still optimistic amidst the pandemic

Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners still optimistic amidst the pandemic

For Immediate Release
30 September 2020

Since March 2020, all Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) have worked at grassroots level to raise awareness about COVID-19 to formal and informal business sectors. Awareness shared not only included the signs and symptoms of the Coronavirus disease, but more importantly, ways in which to minimize and prevent the spread of it.

“Since March 2020, three (3) EHPs out of 39 contracted COVID-19,” said Mr Johan Compion, GRDM Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services. “It has been a stressful time for EHPs and their families, especially for those who have family members at home stressed if their partners contracted COVID-19 while moving around,” he said.

GRDM Executive Manager, Mr Clive Africa explained that the multi-agency approach to curbing the spread of the virus is one of the reasons why not many lives were lost. “Our Firefighters and the additional 20 Expanded Public Works Programme workers, since 1 April 2020, disinfected a countless number of sites,” said Africa.

“None of these front-line workers contracted the virus, which is something we can be very grateful about”.

More frequent inspections were conducted at premises to ensure that the public stayed protected. Basic principles such as hand hygiene, cough etiquette, cleaning of frequently touched surfaces and social distancing were taught.  In addition, important factors such as adequate ventilation, the use of personal protective equipment, cleaning and disinfection of transport vehicles and pest control, were also shared and monitored.

Today, COVID-19 education is still done at informal and formal businesses, which include the following:

  • beauty salons (barbers, hairdressers and tattoo parlours)
  • old age homes/retirement homes
  • retail stores
  • churches
  • banks
  • SASSA PAY points
  • soup kitchens
  • clinics
  • schools
  • crèches
  • homes of COVID-19 patients
  • correctional services
  • police stations
  • door-to-door awareness
  • libraries
  • farms
  • holiday resorts/spas
  • hospitals
  • funeral undertakers
  • milking parlours
EHPs monitor compliance at a funeral.

Despite the hard work already done by EHPs, many community members do not wear masks. EHPs also found that many people do not adhere to social distancing protocols and ignore other COVID-19 preventative measures. In some cases, family members of those who were awaiting test results moved around while they should have been in quarantine. It has also noted with concern that social stigma and discriminatory behaviour occurred against people with COVID-19 or those who recovered from it.  GRDM urges the public to play their part in helping to curb the spread of this virus instead of fuelling the stigma around this pandemic.

Despite all the challenges faced, EHPs will continue to roll out preventative measures to combat and curb the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus disease.

ENDS

17 September 2020 Awareness: COVID-19 Return to Place of Worship Guideline

17 September 2020

Fighting COVID-19 is a collective responsibility. Therefore, this guideline is developed to guide churches and places of worship to adhere to the golden rules of COVID-19 to curb the spread of the disease.

The virus can spread in churches and places of worship through singing, shouting, talking, preaching, sneezing and coughing. It can also spread if social distancing and no physical touching protocols are not adhered to.

Everyone should be aware that returning to place of worship will be different and a lot of adjustments need to be made. All churches are different and it is important that these principles should be viewed as a guide in developing their own document.

Click here to download the guideline.

For more information, contact:
Mr Johan Compion,
Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services
Tel: 044-803 1300 / 044-803 1525
E-mail: jcompion@gardenroute.gov.za

27 July 2020 Media Release: Those in self-isolation and quarantine in Oudtshoorn stay at home

Media Release: Those in self-isolation and quarantine in Oudtshoorn stay at home

For Immediate Release
27 July 2020 

“Everyone was found to be 100% compliant following a routine inspection by Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) to  Oudtshoorn households,” said GRDM Manager for Municipal Health Services of the Klein Karoo Region,” Mr Desmond Paulse.

On Friday 17 July 2020, EHPs from GRDM offices in the Hessequa, Mossel Bay and George sub-districts joined the GRDM Oudtshoorn EHPs to conduct COVID-19 compliance inspections at 71 households where positive COVID-19 patients were in self -isolation. Compliance visits include checking if those who are supposed to be in isolation are at home and are following all COVID-19 protocols.

In concluding each visit, EHPs donate bottles of sanitiser sprays to each household and continue to raise health and hygiene awareness in the affected areas. Each household is given pamphlets relating to home care advice and how to properly disinfect one’s home.

Mr Desmond Paulse shared a word of gratitude to all participants who supported the Oudtshoorn EHPs during the visits in their effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to save lives.

Household surfaces have to be regularly cleaned with disinfectant.  Photo: Pexels

Home care advice

  • Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water,
  • Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and throw the tissue away safely in a bin,
  • Double-bag household waste and store for 5 days before putting it out for collection.

How to clean and disinfect surfaces in your home

  • Mix 6 teaspoons of bleach with 1 litre (4 cups) of water and apply to the surface. Leave for 2 minutes and then wipe off with water.

Feature Image caption:  EHPs who conducted the compliance visits were (fltr): Willie Plaatjies and Johan Smith (Oudtshoorn), Marcelles Hurling and Haemish Herwels (Riversdale) Desmond Paulse and Elizna Cairncross, with (front, sitting) Francois Koelman (Oudtshoorn).  Monique Anthony and Ikhanya Hendriks (Mossel Bay), as well as Ivy Mamegwa, Jessica Erasmus, Clive Africa (Executive Manager: Community Services) and Johan Compion (Manager: Municipal Health & Environmental Services) from George, were absent during the photograph.

ENDS

14 July 2020 Media Release: Guidelines for businesses offering services such as haircuts, tattoos and manicures

Media Release: Guidelines for businesses offering services such as haircuts, tattoos and manicures

For Immediate Release
14 July 2020

While South Africa is still operating under alert level 3, hairdressers, barbershops, nail and toe treatment, facial treatment, make-up, body massage, tattooing and body piercing were allowed to re-open their doors on 19 June 2020. However, stricter health and hygiene protocols had to be in place at all these businesses to protect their employees and the public. The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) is in full support of these businesses to operate again after many employers and employees were left without an income for nearly three months, as long as all the protocols are adhered to.

Following to the opening of these businesses, the GRDM also received applications for new businesses to open their doors. All existing and new businesses are required to be in possession of a health certificate issued by the GRDM Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP), said Mr Johan Compion, GRDM Manager Municipal Health and Environmental Services. “If a hair salon, barbershop or body piercing shop doesn’t have one, the owner needs to apply for it by contacting one of our offices for more information, otherwise enforcement will take place,” he said.

DETAILS TO BE PRESENTED WHEN APPLYING

These are the details all barbers and hairdressers need to present when to apply for a health certificate:

  • The business name
  • The physical address of the premises
  • The name and identity number of the owner or person in charge

HEALTH CERTIFICATE RULES

  1. The health certificate must be displayed in a conspicuous manner on the premises and it must be clearly visible to everyone entering the premises.
  2. The health certificate is not transferable from one owner to another or from one premises to another.
  3. The certificate should be renewed in case of change of ownership; in the case of renovations/additions to the existing premises and if the service moves from one premises to another premises.

For an application of a Health Certificate, structural requirements, waste management requirements, and any other standards, make contact with the following GRDM EHP chiefs:

Hessequa area

Mossel Bay area

George area (Wilderness)

Outeniqua area

Lakes area (Knysna)

Bitou area

Oudtshoorn & Kannaland areas

Guidelines/checklist in terms of the Municipal Health Services Bylaw of 2018:

  • Internal walls easily cleanable and painted with a light coloured paint.
  • Floors constructed of an easily cleanable with smooth finish
  • The ceiling must be constructed of a dust proof material.
  • Ventilation and illumination
  • Ablution facilities
  • Separate Basins: Adequate number of basins for the washing of hair and supplied with hot and cold
  • Waste water disposal system approved by Local Authority
  • Change room(s)
  • Refuse disposal
  • A central refuse storage area
  • The premises may not be used for food preparation or for sleeping
  • The premises and all equipment used in connection should always be maintained in good conditions and clean and sanitary.
  • No animals permitted on the premises, unless in the case of a guide dog
  • Instruments kept clean and disinfected after each use
  • Adequate numbers of towels
  • Laundry
  • Facility for cleaning crockery and utensils if beverages are served
  • Containers used for the storage of health care risk waste should be clearly labeled in large, legible lettering.
  • Employees should be adequately trained in the identification, separation, handling and storing of health care risk waste.
  • Health care risk waste may only be removed/ collected, transported, treated and disposed by a registered service provider from the premises.
  • Accurate and up to date records of all health care risk waste generated by the facility must be kept.
  • The use of dyes, pigments and stencils and tattoo procedures
  • In preparing dyes or pigments, non-toxic materials should be used.
  • Single-use, sterile, individual containers for dyes or pigments must be used for each
  • The stencil, unless composed of acetate, should be used for a single tattoo procedure only. Acetate stencils may be disinfected and re-used.

Download the bylaw here: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Garden-Route-DM-Municipal-Health-Services-By-law-Dec-2018.pdf

ENDS

14 July 2020 Media Release: Dysselsdorp Soup Kitchens providing a helping hand during the COVID-19 pandemic

Media Release: Dysselsdorp Soup Kitchens providing a helping hand during the COVID-19 pandemic

For immediate release
14 July 2020

Soup kitchens in Dysselsdorp, which forms part of the Greater Oudtshoorn municipal area, provide an ideal service for those who struggle to make ends meet by providing food assistance. Soup kitchens serve food to anyone who arrives at their doorstep and often serve meals, consisting of not only soup, but sandwiches too. Volunteers assist to prepare meals, serve food, and help with cleaning up.

In Dysselsdorp, the community and spiritual leaders have set the tone for the establishment of soup kitchens. They contacted the Municipal Health Services office of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) in Oudtshoorn for guidance regarding minimum requirements and approvals. Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) continue with inspections of soup kitchens and ensure that they always comply with health requirements.

Dysselsdorp soup kitchens adhere to the requirements of the COVID-19 protocols to protect all members of the community in their respective settings.

According to Mr Desmond Paulse, GRDM Manager for Municipal Health in Oudtshoorn, the EHPs continue to work closely with the Department of Social Development in terms of soup kitchen applications and approvals. “A protocol and guidelines specifically relating to operating a soup kitchen during the COVID-19 pandemic was developed and now there are ten approved soup kitchens operating in Dysselsdorp,” he said.

New soup kitchens must adhere to the minimum structural requirements in terms of building control (ventilation and lighting), potable running water, basic health requirements including sufficient working surfaces, temperature control, vector control, disposal of waste, provision of toilet facility and hand washbasin on preparation sites, including hand-sanitizing agents. Personal protective equipment for food handlers, regular health screening of food handlers and approved storing facilities for the storage of food and utensils must be provided.

These general COVID-19 requirements include:

  • Ensuring social distancing when receiving food at identified soup kitchen.
  • People must not gather at the facility after receiving their food.
  • Face masks and gloves to be worn by persons distributing the food.
  • Provision of sufficient hand wash facilities on site to accommodate people receiving food.

EHPs monitor the soup kitchens in Dysselsdorp with the assistance of the Expanded Public Workers Programme workers to ensure that the COVID-19 measures are implemented. Furthermore, regular inspections are carried out by the EHPs to ensure compliance and that all basic health requirements are met and to ensure that food is prepared hygienically and safe for consumption to vulnerable residents of the area.

ENDS

9 July 2020 Media Release: Essential workers from GRDM continue to do their best to prevent the spread of COVID-19

Media Release: Essential workers from GRDM continue to do their best to prevent the spread of COVID-19

For immediate release
9 July 2020

During the past weekend (3-5 July 2020) essential workers from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) continued with their schedule to disinfect areas in George in their endeavour to reduce the risk of the transmission of the COVID-19 Coronavirus in the district.

The latest charts issued by the Western Cape Department of Health, illustrating the hotspots identified in the George area.

Fourteen (14) Environmental Health Practitioners and 12 Firefighters from GRDM accompanied by Municipality’s Portfolio Chairperson for Community Services, Cllr Khayalethu Lose, with the assistance of the South African Police Services, formed part of the operation.  The disinfection took place at areas located in Thembalethu, Pacaltsdorp, Lawaaikamp and Maraiskamp, with the focus on reaching the emerging hotspots in George.  Routine visits to those in self-quarantine or self-isolation at their private residences also formed part of the operation. This is done to ensure that members of the public adhere to the regulated COVID-19 protocols and for team to continue with contact tracing. It is also welcomed by patients because a time in isolation or quarantine can be lonely.

The Garden Route District Municipal team disinfecting various areas in George.

In the Thembalethu area, the Shopping Square, 30 taxis and the garage area were disinfected, as well as the inside of shops and business premises. According to GRDM Station Officer: Fire & Safety Training, Mr Deon Stoffels, who supervises the operations, these businesses include: barbers, hair salons, timber shops and car spares shops. “The operation continued in Pacaltsdorp with the outside of the food retail stores and all other places where many feet pass through,” he said. In the Rosemoor residential area, all main shops and four spaza shops in Protea Park were also disinfected.The operation continued in Pacaltsdorp with the outside of Spar, the Mingo Camp and all main shops that were disinfected,” he said. In the Rosemoor residential area, all main shops and four spaza shops in Protea Park were also disinfected.

As part of the programme, bottles of disinfectant, hand sanitisers and soap are handed over to the owners and/or representatives of the respective public areas, as well as patients/contacts at private residences to ensure they and the environment they live in, are kept hygienic and safe.

According to Mr Johan Compion, Manager for Municipal Health and Environmental Services at GRDM, visits to disinfect these spots were not randomly done. He explained: “These areas were identified as hotspots or to reach patients who have tested positive for COVID-19”.  Compion further said:  “During our visits to especially the private residences, 3.77% of these were non-compliant, but we issued notices of warning to all who did not comply to the regulations that were put in place by the Western Cape Department of Health”.

“As part of the continued programme, we plan to visit and disinfect more areas in the Garden Route,” Mr Clive Africa, GRDM Executive Manager for Community Services, said.  He concluded and confirmed that areas in Mossel Bay and Knysna will be the next areas where similar exercises will be conducted in the upcoming weeks.

[ENDS]

Media Release: EPWP essential workers to assist at Covid-19 hotspots in the Garden Route

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) as a member of the National Joints (NatJoints) Committee, has to respond to combating the spread of COVID-19 in terms of the Disaster Management Act, No 57 of 2002, as stipulated in the NatJoints Containment Work Stream.

The DPWI has identified the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Non-State Sector (NSS) Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) as the best response mechanism to support the Department of Health to deliver necessary public health services at elementary level for purposes of COVID-19 spread prevention and control. To give effect to this commitment, DPWI has signed a three month addendum with the Independent Development Trust, on 12 April 2020, to contract qualifying NPOs throughout the country in 44 districts and 8 metros, to appoint youth (16-35 years) to participate in this initiative. The NPOs will also be required to sign three month contracts with each EPWP participant. The Garden Route district was allocated 119 participants for the first category of the COVID-19 response (George 41, Hessequa 23, Mossel Bay 15, Oudtshoorn 12, Bitou 10, Knysna 10 and Kannaland 8).

All participants will perform their duties under the supervision of the Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) of Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM). Their activities will include the following:

  • health promotion on COVID-19 prevention, hand washing practices and social distancing measures in public places;
  • distribution of hygiene soap and hand sanitizers in identified high risk communities, education on proper handwashing techniques;
  • home-to-home education interventions, where required; and
  • cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched high-risk areas, e.g. communal water collection points, taxi ranks and other places identified by the applicable municipality.

Furthermore the DPWI has issued Personal Protective Equipment and identification cards to the NPOs which must be used by participants while they are on duty.

GRDM EHPs had to identify the hotspots within the Local Municipal areas and guide the participants through an orientation programme to outline their work.

The orientation/ training programme

 The Municipal Health Section of the GRDM was tasked to train the EPWP personnel in line with the Golden rules to prevent/minimise the spread of COVID-19 in the district. The training programme took place at the beginning of June 2020 and included the following disciplines:

  • Wearing of face masks in public areas and while travelling with other individuals in a vehicle (i.e. lift clubs, taxi, bus and/or any other form of public transport);
  • maintaining a social distance of 1.5m;
  • proper hand washing techniques;
  • avoid touching your face with unwashed hands;
  • proper cough etiquette;
  • waste management (i.e. disposable masks and gloves); and
  • avoiding crowded places as far as it is possible.

After undergoing orientation, appointed EPWP participants will conduct awareness at “hotspots” areas which were identified as problematic areas within communities to ensure that all members of the public remain adequately informed to protect themselves.

These “hotspots” areas include;

  • general public facilities, including municipal/ public toilets, taxi ranks etc.;
  • food premises – spaza shops;
  • soup kitchens;
  • informal settlements; and
  • government grant pay points – ATM’s, post offices and/or any other business premises which are utilised to distribute grants.
EPWP workers trained by GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners to assist at hotspots within the Garden Route district.

Executive Mayor of GRDM, Cllr Memory Booysen, extended a word of appreciation to all stakeholders involved in the programme and highlighted: “As a municipality we are glad for the appointment of the EPWP personnel, as all participants will be a great addition to the initiatives of the GRDM in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic”.

The following stakeholders are involved in the coordination of this project; DPWI, Independent Development Trust, NPOs Edu-Plett and God Care International, Department of Employment and Labour, GRDM and Local Municipalities in the Garden Route district.

For more information regarding the project, contact,

Mr Mzimkulu Gusha, National Public Works Programme Manager

Tel: 021 402 2164 / 076 423 7558

Mr Richard Dyantyi, Manager: EPWP at Garden Route District Municipality

Tel: 044 803 1404 / 084 900 5556

Mr Johan Compion, Manager: Municipal Health at Garden Route District Municipality

Tel: 044 803 1525 / 082 803 5161