WATCH: Free coronavirus testing and screening in ward 23
Young and old queued outside the parking lot where there were three testing stations; one from the City of Johannesburg and two from the National Health Laboratory Service.
Scores of people came for coronavirus testing and screening organised by the City of Johannesburg’s (CoJ) Health Department in Region F and Pick n Pay Mulbarton at Panorama Shopping Centre on June 25.
Young and old queued outside the parking lot where there were three testing stations; one from the City of Johannesburg and two from the National Health Laboratory Service.
Pick n Pay Mulbarton store manager Christene Botha said CoJ approached them to partner on this day to administer coronavirus testing and screening.
“This is an awesome initiative and I’m impressed with the turn out of people. We are glad that some other businesses came on board, businesses such as Dettol who brought soccer balls and soaps, and Shield who gave our 500 hand sanitisers and gazebos,” she said.
CoJ regional health manager Oupa Montsioa said they are still fighting this invisible pandemic which they started with the awareness on March 5 in Southgate Mall.
“After our first awareness drive in Southgate Mall, we continued to conscientise the community about Covid-19. “We appreciate people who voluntarily come here to test. The response is great.
“After testing, people will get their results in about seven days because there are a lot of people testing and screening. Before, the turnaround time was 48 hours. We have 19 wards in Region F and working with environmental health practitioners has helped a lot. Also, the ward councillors are helping us,” he said.
An environmental health practitioner in ward 23 Fahaadh Hassani said they would like to thank Pick n Pay Mulbarton for providing breakfast and lunch for all of them on the day, and also all other businesses who helped on the day.
A couple from Xavier Estate Nthabiseng and Phillip Mokitle said they were doing their groceries and saw the testing stations, that is why they went to test.
Gerhard Rust from Haddon said, “I saw the advertisement on the wall yesterday which stated that today there will be free testing hence I’m here. I’m doing this for my safety and the safety of others.”
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