20 July 2020

As of 1 pm on 20 July, the Western Cape has 13 352 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of  84 340 confirmed cases and 68334 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 6097( 4965 recovered)

Data note:  As we move closer to the peak,  it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new recorded case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 38 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2654. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Brackengate accepts first patients:

Our Brackengate temporary hospital accepted its first patients today, making it the province’s third field hospital to open. Ten people were admitted to the 338 bed facility this afternoon, with the first patients receiving a heartwarming welcome and round of applause from the hospital team at the door.

This facility, like the CTICC Hospital of Hope, provides intermediate care to patients who require hospitalisation and oxygen, but who are not critical. The facility is equipped with oxygen at each bed, and a further eight beds fitted for high flow nasal oxygen. It is also paperless and has wifi connectivity so patients can connect to their loved ones at home.

We wish all of those who enter through its doors well as they recover. We also extend our thanks to the many people including Health Minister Nomafrench Mbombo and Minister of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela, to the officials and the healthcare workers who have ensured that we have been able to provide healthcare services to the people of the Western Cape, with just a short time to prepare.

Comorbidities:

The Department of Health in the province has conducted another comprehensive analysis of the comorbidities associated with COVID-19 related deaths in the province.

Diabetes and hypertension remain the leading comorbidities in the 2181deaths in people over the age of 20 in the Western Cape as at July 8. Diabetes was a comorbidity in 1042 of these deaths, and hypertension in 1086 deaths.

In almost a quarter of these deaths (513), patients had three or more comorbidities.

The data also reveals the following other comorbidities:

• 68 (cardio vascular disease)
• 277 (chronic pulmonary disease)
• 35 (cancer)
• 274 (HIV)
• 66 (TB current)
• 233 (TB previously)
• 99 (other comorbidities)

*Numbers will not add up several people had more than one comorbidity

When looking at the age breakdowns, the greatest number of deaths were recorded in people over the age of 50.

Of the 2181 deaths:

-673 were over 70 years of age

-573 were aged between 60 and 69

-512 were between the ages of 50 to 59.

These numbers show that it is vitally important that anyone who falls into these risk groups take every precaution to protect themselves.

This means staying at home as much as possible, and ensuring that if you are on any medication, that you continue to take this. Always wear a mask outside of your home, practice social distancing and wash your hands regularly. Avoid touching surfaces or your face.

If you do fall into one of these risk groups and you are experiencing symptoms such as a sore throat, fever, cough, or loss of taste and smell, it is best to get tested early, to ensure that you receive the appropriate care early on.

And while the risk of death is lower for younger people and those without comorbidities, anyone who falls into these groups can still become ill, or infect someone who has a much higher risk profile.

Each death we record in this province is one too many. We must avoid seeing these deaths only as statistics. Each of these lives had value, these are people who had families and loved ones, aspirations, stories to share and lessons to teach. We must acknowledge their humanity and ensure that we do everything in our power to protect others and save lives.

Acts of human kindness:

I would like to acknowledge the staff at Helderberg Hospital for going beyond the call of duty and helping to make the birthday of a COVID-19 patient special. Being in hospital at this time can be a very lonely experience as visitors aren’t allowed, but Mrs Wilhelmina Williams, still got to celebrate her 65^th birthday with cake and balloons last week thanks to the kindness of some healthcare workers.

I would also like to wish Mrs Williams a belated happy birthday and a speedy recovery.

Over the past week, I have joined forces with the Maskathon challenge to collect mask donations for Mandela Day. I am pleased to say that we have managed to collect pledges for over 23 500 masks. Some people have supported local mask makers, others have made cash donations while others have lovingly handcrafted masks. I would like to thank all of those businesses and individuals who have answered the call to donate, and help to make a difference in our communities. Anyone still wishing to donate can do so by going to https://maskathon.co.za/masksformadiba/.

16 July 2020

As of 1pm on 16 July, the Western Cape has 14 241 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 82 264 confirmed cases and 65 530 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 7405 (5293 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 38 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2493. We send our condolences to their loved ones at this time.

Earlier today, I held a digicon in which we detailed the work that we have done in the province to provide medical care to those affected by COVID-19, and the specific risks to diabetic patients. More information can be found in the press statement here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/statement-premier-alan-winde-weekly-digital-press-conference-16-july

16 July 2020

“We are noticing a gentle easing of pressure in the Metro, but continued vigilance is essential”

The Western Cape Government understands that the hard lockdown was an important intervention to slow the spread of the virus and therefore to buy the time needed to prepare our health system for the peak of infections that were to come.

This was essential so that every single person receives the medical care that is needed, when it is needed. Our teams therefore worked around the clock to ensure that we have enough staff, supplies and additional temporary care facilities (or ‘field hospitals”) available to provide this care.

They have faced, and continue to face, enormous pressures. This is an unprecedented crisis, that has pushed our systems, finances and capacity.

I know it has not been easy for our frontline staff, be it nurses, teachers or police officers. I therefore want to thank all the officials, across our government departments, for their hard-work and dedication displayed during this challenging time.

I also want to say a big thank you to every single resident, wherever you are, for playing the most important “lead” role in our Covid-19 response.

I know that millions of people across our province are following the golden rules, wearing a mask, washing their hands, and keeping a safe distance. Yes, there are still some who are not – but the overwhelming majority of people are playing their part. Thank you for leading from the front and being role models for other members of our community to follow.

Early indication of pressure easing, but we cannot let our foot off the pedal

From the first digital press conference, that I hosted months ago, I set out that our response to Covid-19 would be evidence based and data-led. We would follow the best scientific advice in making projections on what was needed from our health platform, so that we were as prepared as possible.

We have done this to the best of our ability – planning for the very worst, but always intervening to get the best possible outcome. This has happened in the context of inevitable uncertainties, as our scientists learn about the virus and how it impacts our communities.

We have thus far undertaken an early provisioning scenario, and two additional calibrations with the National Covid-19 Modelling Consortium. We are now working towards a third calibration with this grouping, using the latest available data as we seek to continuously re-assess our projections and provisioning scenarios. We will make this public when it is received.

However, I can reveal that we are starting to see a gentle easing of pressure in the Metro in particular, with a possible decline. This is noticed in the most robust data available to us: hospitalisations and deaths.

But let me be crystal clear: it is simply too early to say the worst is over. We simply do not know enough about the virus to claim so. We are still in the midst of a serious health pandemic.

So, if anything, we must be even more vigilant and alert than before so that we can continue to flatten the curve and save lives in the Western Cape.

Our health platform is managing

The Western Cape Department of Health manages its health platform in an integrated manner, allowing us to closely monitor capacity at any given point. This allows patients to be moved between different facilities, if capacity is reached.

We note the following observations regarding Covid-19 in the Western Cape:

• The hospital admissions for Covid-19 have stabilised over the last 10 days, across public and private hospitals.
• The critical care bed occupancy rate reached a daily maximum of 320 patients. It is currently at 270-280 patients.
• Total Covid-19 admissions reached a daily maximum of 1900 patients, and now currently stands at 1600-1700 patients.

In the Cape Metropole, the most populous district in the Western Cape and which accounts for the sub-districts with the most infections, our acute care hospital capacity, including all patients (Covid-19 and non Covid-19) is as follows:

This means our acute care capacity has not yet exceeded 70%.

Our intermediate care facilities or “field hospitals” have provided an enormous support in alleviating this pressure:

• The Hospital of Hope has admitted 1069 patients over time, as of 14 July 2020, and has discharged 751 people since opening.
• The Thusong Centre in Khayelitsha has admitted 198 patients and discharged a total of 138 patients so far.
• The 330-bed Brackengate Field Hospital is set to come online on 20^th July.
• The Sonstraal Hospital, which will have a total capacity of 150 beds, is expecting the first 63 beds online soon.
• Additional beds will be provided in Hermanus (32 beds), Vredendal (20 beds) and George (20 beds).

We also continue to open new testing and triage centres at health facilities across the Western Cape:

• We have 19 such facilities operational
• Construction is completed at an additional 7 facilities, and they will become operational soon
• Testing and triage centres are under construction at 15 facilities

To ensure that we can provide the best possible care to our residents when they need it, we have also made sure that we have the right supplies available in our facilities:

• We had a significant platform of medical equipment assets available prior to the pandemic, including 324 ICU ventilators, and 94 transport ventilators
• 25 additional ventilators have been added to our health platform
• A decision support tool was developed to optimally manage key processes (needs assessment, procurement and allocation) on an ongoing basis
• Approximately R250 million has been invested in health technology to strengthen our response. This ensures our health facilities can provide different levels of care and helping ensure effective screening, testing/diagnosis, referral and treatment of Covid-19 patients
• We have thus far employed 620 people at our field hospitals
• We have piloted a National Track and Trace system, and look forward to the launch of it by the National Government
• We have finalised key agreements with private sector, to access their services should the need arise
• We have ensured adequate supplies of oxygen to our facilities, and currently utilising 60% of our total capacity.
• We have made use of High-Flow Nasal Oxygen Devices at our facilities, which has proven to an effective, life-saving support intervention for Covid-19 patients.

The Western Cape to start process of scaling up non-Covid health services from 1 August 2020

Our Department of Health will now be working on plans to scale-up non-Covid health services and responses, which has been negatively impacted by the pandemic.

This includes:

• Scaling up chronic disease management (Diabetes, Hypertension), HIV and TB management, and Child and Women’s health services. This is done via Community Health Workers and primary care services.
• The systematic re-introduction and scaling up of elective surgery, over the next 8 months, considering the Covid reality over the next 12-18 months.
• The recovery of the health care delivery system to reach pre-Covid levels of performance.

Diabetics at high risk of severe illness, must present for testing as soon as any symptoms develop

I was very pleased to welcome endocrinologist, Associate Professor Joel Dave, to today’s digital press conference. He discussed his research on the impact of Covid-19 on diabetic patients. This is something very close to my heart because I am type 2 diabetic.

The research found that while diabetics are not at higher risk of contracting the virus, they are at higher risk of developing a severe illness from Covid-19. That is why the Western Cape Government’s Department of Health has developed a specific action plan on diabetes.

A key pillar of this action plan is that diabetic residents who develop Covid-19 symptoms must get tested immediately. We are also making some space in our intermediate care facilities available for diabetic residents who get ill with Covid-19.  The clinical outcomes for those who are identified early are much better than those who wait until they are severely ill.

My message to our diabetic residents today, as a fellow diabetic, is to please take every precaution possible to protect yourself. And if you do start developing any symptoms to urgently get tested for Covid-19. We have the healthcare available to support you, please make use of it. Also remember to take your medication and to live a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet. This makes a major difference.

The virus is going to be with us for some time, so behaviour change is our best long-term defence

The Western Cape Government has been engaging with behavioural science experts on how best to get the behaviour change needed in our communities.

The reality is that the virus is going to be with us for some time and we need every single person to play their part in keeping themselves and their families safe in the months ahead. If we don’t do this, we could risk new outbreaks emerging.

I want to make an important point here: behaviour change is not easy. We are asking residents to act in ways that are not normal in our cultures and communities. This will require lots of innovation by government, and this is a challenge we are taking seriously.

I want every resident in our province to know that I am extremely grateful for the changes you have made in your lives already. I know it has not been easy. I want you to share the same gratitude and praise with fellow members of the community when you see them wear a mask or follow the other golden rules.

This praise, I believe, will be more effective in creating role models and encouraging emulation than scolding. So always be kind and say thank you to someone when they act in a way that keeps you and your family safe.  Let’s create a movement of behaviour change in our communities in this way, with care and in the spirit of solidarity.

[ENDS]

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 15 July 2020

Release: immediately

Tourism Product Development Fund launched

We are excited to announce the launch of the Tourism Product Development Fund which commits a total of R5 million to support new or existing tourism products and experiences in the Western Cape.

The Tourism Product Development Fund is one of the many ways we are working hard to support the tourism sector, which has been hard-hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and is facing significant job losses in the Western Cape.

Innovation and adaptability through product and market diversification is more important now than ever as tourism businesses and destinations try to build resilience during these tough times, and prepare new products for visitors to enjoy when we are ready to open again in the Western Cape.

Offering travellers tourism experiences that differentiate the Western Cape from other destinations will be important to our economic recovery and how we will market our tourism offering both domestically and internationally.

And so, the Tourism Product Development Fund aims to support those products and experiences that are most unique, such as cultural and heritage experiences or hyperlocal food and dining attractions that can only be experienced in the Western Cape.

Tourism is a major contributor to the economy and employment in the Western Cape. Since the start of the Covid-19 crisis in the Western Cape, the Department of Economic Development and Tourism and I have been engaging actively with the tourism industry to understand the impact of Covid-19 and to work with them to prepare the industry to be able to open safely and responsibly.

I would like to encourage all interested tourism businesses and organisations to apply. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

For more information on the Tourism Product Development Fund please visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/general-publication/tourism-product-development-fund

The closing date for submissions is Friday, 14 August 2020 at 16:00.

Notes for media:
Please find soundbyte from Minister David Maynier attached.

To read the statement online visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/tourism-product-development-fund-launched

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

DO NOT LEASE OR SELL YOUR STATE SUBSIDISED HOME

15 July 2020

I am deeply concerned at the increased reports from various stakeholders about residents who have received a fully subsidized home from Government, who have either rented or sold the property. This information tells us that there was never a need for a home, which means Government is being defrauded.

In fact, I regard the action of anyone that embarks on this route as unethical, as they’re denying one of the almost 600-thousand people that are currently on the Western Cape Housing Demand Database (HDD), a housing opportunity, and their families who in the future could benefit from this asset.

A fully subsidized house costs the state close to R500 000.

Between May and the end of June 2020, we’ve received 11 official complaints about houses in Forest Village, Delft, Blue Downs, Eersteriver, Langeberg Municipality and Beaufort West Municipality either being rented or which might have been sold. In one report, a couple in Forest Village is being accused of currently renting two properties. This excludes the informal reports that’s being highlighted on social media.

The law is clear that every South African citizen who receives a government housing subsidy when buying or receiving a property, will be subject to a pre-emptive condition in their Title Deed, meaning the individual cannot sell the property within the prescribed 8 -years of receiving the subsidized house, unless it has received permission from the Provincial Department of Human Settlements to do so.

For the sale to occur, the beneficiary needs to submit an application to the Provincial Department to have the pre-emptive clause waived and removed from the title deed.

It is further critical to note that the property can be sold when:

• Beneficiaries, who wish to improve their dwellings, need to apply for funding at a financial institution, and need to register a mortgage bond over the property.
• Beneficiaries need to relocate (proof will be requested) to a better area or another city/town.
• Loss of employment, they often take up employment in locations that make daily commuting impossible and the only alternative is to relocate permanently to the new place of employment.
• Beneficiaries find themselves and their family’s victims of crime.

It is further important to note that Approval will be on condition that:

• The purchaser is a SA citizen;
• The purchaser is competent to contract;
• The purchaser does not own and has never owned fixed property before;
• The seller lived on the property for at least 2 years after the effective date of sale
• The seller must be improving on his/her current living standards, or prove that it is a matter of extreme detriment to the applicant, if not approved
• The municipality supports the sale if the property is being sold within the first 5 years of the effective date of sale.

My department is currently investigating all the reports and pursuant to the conclusion of the investigation the necessary and relevant action will be taken. I’ve also requested a legal opinion on the steps that can specifically be instituted against those who are renting their properties.

We will not hesitate to act against those who have defrauded the State in this manner. I’d like to call on all state beneficiaries not to be tempted to engage in this unethical and quite frankly illegal practices, particularly since the state has ensured that your housing need, which you declared is being met.

I also encourage those who are aware of a beneficiary that’s involved in these practices to formally inform the Department so that an investigation can be launched.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

021 483 3397 (o) / 082 721 3362 (m)

Or

Nathan Adriaanse

Director Communication & Stakeholder Relations

Tell: 021 483 2868 / Mobile: 083 2631720 / Email: Nathan.Adriaanse@westerncape.gov.za

14 July 2020

As of 1pm on 14 July, the Western Cape has 15 160 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 79 332 confirmed cases and 61 756 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 6777 (4500 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 49 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2416. We send our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

Health update:

I have been following the advice of my doctor and have been resting at home as much as possible. I am feeling significantly better today, and both my blood sugar levels and my temperature are down. I am still isolating at home and taking all the necessary precautions because I fall into a high risk group.

It is incredibly important that if you are a diabetic, you take all measures possible to protect yourself from contracting COVID-19. The most effective way to do this is to stay home as much as possible, and to ensure that you take extra care when leaving home- including regular hand washing, wearing a mask and social distancing.

If you are diabetic, it is important that you continue to take your medication, as diabetics who do not have their blood glucose controlled are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill.

If you experience symptoms, such as a sore throat, fever, cough and loss of smell or taste , it is important that you get tested. If you develop a tight chest or struggle to breathe, seek medical attention.

Oxygen supply:

The Western Cape is currently using approximately 29 tonnes of medical grade oxygen in our facilities daily, with the biggest consumption occurring at Tygerberg and Groote Schuur hospitals. We are currently using approximately 60 percent of the available oxygen supply, so have sufficient supply margins available in the province.

Before the start of the pandemic, the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town put measures in place to ensure that the facility where medical grade oxygen is manufactured in the province is not impacted by loadshedding. It is especially important during this pandemic to ensure that production interruptions do not occur.

13 July 2020

As of 1 pm on 13 July, the Western Cape has 16 689 active cases of COVID-19, with a total of 78548 confirmed cases and 59 492 recoveries.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub-districts:

Unallocated: 6594 (4098 recovered)

Data note:  As the province moves closer to the peak and the Department of Health is recording over 1000 new cases daily, it is not possible to check and verify that the address data supplied for each new case is correct, within the time frames required to provide regular and timely updates. This means that in some instances, cases could be allocated to the wrong sub-districts. We are working with the sub-districts to clean and verify the data and where errors are picked up locally, cases will be re-allocated to the correct areas.

More data is available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-dashboard

The Western Cape has recorded an additional 24 deaths, bringing the total number of COVID-19 related deaths in the province to 2367. We send our condolences to their family and friends at this time.

Masks for Madiba:

On Saturday, we mark President Nelson Mandela’s birthday and Mandela Day.

Traditionally, the day is marked by giving 67 minutes of your time in service of others. This year, it may be more difficult to spend time in care facilities, hospitals and homes because of the need to protect the vulnerable and to practice social distancing. I myself, will still be self-isolating at home, due to testing positive for COVID-19. However, this does not mean that we cannot work together in acts of kindness and of solidarity.

I appeal to residents who are able to, to donate a mask or more in our 67 Masks for Madiba campaign. Over the next week, we will be collecting new and unused masks for both children and adults to ensure that we are able to get masks to as many of our residents as possible to help protect them, their loved ones and to slow the spread of COVID-19.

We have partnered with Wesgro’s Maskathon Challenge to help get as many masks into communities as possible.

My wife Tracy and I will be donating 67 masks to the cause. We encourage everyone to challenge their friends, family members and colleagues to get involved and donate too. Whether you can only donate one mask, or 67, whether you’re a school, business or big corporate, we want you to get involved.

Here’s how:

-If you can sew and make your own masks, we encourage you to get creative. Guidelines on what materials to use, and how many layers the mask should be, can be found here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/news/covid-19-cloth-masks-public-use

-Support local, small businesses in your community making masks, and purchase to donate. Purchased masks can be dropped off in the boxes on the ground floor at 9 Dorp street between 7am and 6pm daily.

-Visit www.maskathon.co.za/masksformadiba/ where you can pledge masks, or make cash donations. Monetary donations will be made to one of two partner organisations, the Craft and Design Institute and the Health Foundation. These funds will be allocated to community-based manufacturers from vulnerable communities, creating an income stream for them. Physical masks pledged through this page can be delivered to the Craft and Design Institute at the Watershed at the V&A Waterfront.

-Corporates wishing to make large donations can either pledge through the link above, or can email bianca.capazorio@westerncape.gov.za with details of their donation.

Help us share the love by sharing a picture of yourself and your donation, using the hashtag #masksformadiba and tag my social media accounts. We will be sharing some of the pictures between now and Saturday.

MEDIA RELEASE BY DAVID MAYNIER

WESTERN CAPE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Date: 13 July 2020

Release: immediately

Tourism sector dealt a severe blow

The tourism sector has been dealt a severe blow with the publishing of the amended regulations for Alert Level 3 last night (12 July 2020). While these regulations provide the clarity that I have been calling for on the opening of accommodation for leisure for travel within provinces, this decision, and the prior confusion caused by the Presidency and the Minister of Tourism, has sent an industry that is already hard hit by Covid-19 into a state of turmoil.

The tourism sector in the Western Cape is facing significant job losses of almost 50 per cent. What is worse, is that many of these accommodation establishments had celebrated the original changes to Alert Level 3 and had opened up and accepted guests and must now close again. This unexplained change will cause further economic hardship for many businesses and will likely cause further job losses.

The tourism sector has been subject to flip flopping, uncertainty and ultimately a decision made with no explanation as to why accommodation for leisure for travel within provinces  is not allowed. This is completely unjustifiable considering the lengths that the industry has gone to in order to put in place the necessary safety measures to stop the spread of Covid-19.

In fact, if the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, is comfortable that health and safety measures can be implemented for accommodation for business travel to open, then why can accommodation for leisure not be opened?

And if the public can visit a casino, cinema or restaurant, why can a family not travel to a self-catering accommodation unit for a weekend away?

I will be writing to both the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, today to request that they urgently reconsider this decision.

There are not only lives at stake as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, but also many livelihoods. The tourism sector in the Western Cape provides thousands of jobs that put food on the table for many South African families, especially those in rural communities.

In the President’s speech last night there was no mention of how these families were going to be supported if their livelihoods are taken away. In the absence of a plan, the tourism sector must be allowed to open safely and responsibly.

Notes for media:
To read the statement online visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/news/tourism-sector-dealt-severe-blow

Media Queries:

Francine Higham

Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities

(Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism)

Tel: 021 483 4327 / Cell: 071 087 5150

Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za

13 July 2020

The scientific reason for the Hard Lockdown and additional alert level restrictions is to slow the transmission of the virus, to flatten the curve of new infections, and therefore to ensure that our health system can provide care to every person who needs it, when they need it.

That is why, from the very beginning, I made clear that the Western Cape Government supports common-sense regulations, based on scientific reasoning. When you make decisions based on this evidence, and with full transparency, you strengthen trust, encourage collective action and form an effective social compact with the people.

The Western Cape Government has taken this very seriously. That is why we have been fully transparent with the people of this province about our challenges, why we have supported common-sense regulations that make a difference in our fight against the pandemic, and why we have always based our reasoning on scientific and medical advice.

We have also maintained that we cannot look at the Covid-19 pandemic in isolation. Every decision that we make in the fight against Covid-19 has a knock-on-effect, causing a number of other challenges that are detrimental to the well-being and health of our people.

The reality is that every single province in South Africa is now also facing a catastrophic unemployment pandemic. Millions of people are going to lose their jobs, if they haven’t already. The consequences of this jobs crisis are severe. It is causing a humanitarian crisis that will impact our poorest and most vulnerable residents. This has very real health consequence and it will also cost lives.

And that is why the Western Cape Government, in our response to Covid-19, has always said we must get the balance right. We must save lives now, but also save lives in the future too. We must slow the spread, and ready our health-systems, but we must do it in a way that still allows for safe economic activity that will help put food on the table for our residents.

This balanced approach to fighting Covid-19 remains our top priority. We did not waste a day of Lockdown in preparing our health-system for the peak of infections, and we will continue to work tirelessly to save lives. But we support doing this in a way that does not cause a humanitarian crisis that will cost lives too.

Mandatory mask wearing:

We welcome the stricter regulations around mask wearing announced by the President. Our own behavioral science research and medical advice is that mask-wearing remains one of the most effective measures in slowing the spread of the virus.

However, wearing a mask is not a natural human behaviour and it is difficult to get used to.  These additional regulations will therefore make sure that mask-wearing becomes part of the “new normal” that we are faced with in the Western Cape and South Africa.

I urge all residents of the Western Cape to take these new regulations seriously for yourself, and for the safety of all those around you and I thank those who have actively take responsibility and wear their masks daily. This is an act of kindness and of solidarity which must be celebrated.

We understand that for many, masks are unaffordable and in order to help get masks to as many people as possible in the province, we will be running a Masks for Madiba campaign ahead of Mandela Day this weekend.

My wife Tracy and I will be donating 67 masks and we challenge all individuals, and corporates to help us protect the people of the Western Cape by donating new, unused masks. You can support this drive by dropping masks in boxes in 9 Dorp Street, or by heading to www.maskathon.co.za where you can pledge cash donations, as well as ready-made masks by filling out a pledge form.

We encourage everyone who can, to get involved and to challenge their friends, family and co-workers to make donations too.

We need a long-term, behaviour change approach to alcohol harms-reduction

During Alert Level 4 and Hard Lockdown, when alcohol sales were initially banned, the Western Cape saw a marked decrease in the number of murders in the province- particularly stabbings. We also saw a significant decrease in the number of admissions to our hospital facilities for alcohol-related trauma events. However, after sales were unbanned on 1 June, we saw an almost immediate and notable increase in the number of murders and a surge in trauma admissions again.

This has put additional strain on our healthcare system, especially in our high care and ICU units where we are trying to save the lives of those people infected with Covid-19.

The link between alcohol and violence is well established and a ban on alcohol sales may result in a reduction in incidents of murder, gender-based violence and trauma events such as road accidents, and assaults, and for this reason can have an immediate impact on hospital capacity.

However, this is a blunt mechanism that will negatively impact the Western Cape economy and the Agri-processing sector and will result in job losses across the province. It will also push the sale of alcohol “underground”, with less control over registered sales by our liquor authority. To put it simply, while this may help in the short term, the problem is not going to go away and a long-term ban is not feasible.

That is why we support “smart” interventions that understand that, like with Covid-19, we need a behaviour change approach if we are going to make a difference. We need to think out-side-of-the-box, and this needs to be done whether there is Covid-19 or not.

The Western Cape Government has already initiated a project to consider long-term behaviour change, and we would like this to be a pilot for the country. I will be raising this proposal with the President during our next engagement.

Ban on leisure tourism accommodation strongly opposed by Western Cape:

I am deeply concerned by the effective banning of all leisure tourism accommodation as promulgated in regulations yesterday.

The tourism sector, which employs over 200 000 people in the Western Cape (direct and indirect) has been dealt a severe blow, without proper scientific evidence or reasoning to support it being excluded.

Leisure tourism accommodation that can open safely, following proper safety protocols, should be allowed to do so. We need to view the tourism sector as a partner in our Covid-19 pandemic, and work with them to adapt to this new normal.

The failure to do this will likely see the sector decimated, with more than 50% of jobs being lost. The knock-on-effect for the overall Western Cape economy will be severe.

I will be raising this concern directly with the President as a matter of urgency, and the Western Cape Government will continue to push for the safe re-opening of the tourism sector.