Covid-19 – Home Affairs staff raise concerns to deputy minister
“We have introduced the use of protective equipment like masks, gloves and hand sanitiser at all branches.”
The safety of staff and the public at Edenvale Home Affairs was addressed when Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Njabulo Nzuza visited the branch.
On April 7, the 12th day of the lockdown, Nzuza met with department officials in Edenvale before setting off to Soweto.
The visit saw the deputy minister assess the essential services provided by the Edenvale Home Affairs branch and listen to staff members’ concerns.
Nzuza reminded staff to be safe and make use of protective equipment during any interaction with the public.
While Nzuza spoke to the staff, concerns were raised over the quality of and lack of masks, gloves and hand sanitisers provided to them.
One staff member said when a community member, who had returned from Italy, visited the branch, the staff stopped working for a day as they knew the danger of the virus and Italy was affected.
Some asked Nzuza if it would be possible to have a thermometer to scan the temperatures, which he believed would be a good addition to the branches as it would assist the health department.
Media manager for the Department of Home Affairs David Hlabane said measures put in place to ensure health safety included shortening of operational hours.
Branches nationwide will be open from 10am to 2pm, normal operating hours were from 8am to 3.30pm.
“We have introduced the use of protective equipment like masks, gloves and hand sanitiser at all branches,” said Hlabane.
While the NEWS was at the Edenvale branch, it only saw several community members visit the branch.
Those who visited the branch were greeted by staff wearing masks and gloves who were ready to sanitise the hands of community members.
Pamphlets which identified how the virus was transmitted and what to avoid were presented to those who entered the facility.
“The staff are enforcing social distancing and only a limited number of citizens will be allowed in at a time.”
Hlabane said the Edenvale branch is fortunate to have sufficient space to allow for social distancing inside the office.
During the lockdown, only basic services are provided, such as temporary identification certificates, death certificates and reissuing of birth certificates.
