Mixed reactions on Polokwane being announced as the quarantine site
Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha said the hotel in Polokwane will only be used for quarantine purposes. He also pleaded for calm in the province.
POLOKWANE – Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize has confirmed that the 122 South Africans who are due to land in SA on Friday, will be placed in quarantine in Polokwane. The 122 people will be repatriated from Wuhan, China. They will be placed at The Ranch Hotel. Mkhize said the site was chosen as it was far from other communities.
“We looked at 84 other possible sites but there were factors that were not suitable. It was narrowed down to three sites that would be most comfortable for those returning. The sites needed to also be close to landing spaces. The venue in Limpopo was ideal. It satisfied all the requirements. We signed an agreement with the owners and the staff of the venue,” he said.
Some Limpopo residents are against the decision to host the people in their province.Others have threatened to protest against the decision.
“We were ignored when the Springboks celebrated victory in the IRB world cup. Miss Universe was never allowed to come to our province. We never hosted a single match of the Proteas. Even Bafana Bafana, hardly plays in our area. But when its a deadly pandemic, they are thinking of Limpopo,” complained Malose Matlala resident.
Since the announcement of the quarantine site, things have been heating up on Twitter, Facebook and local radios, with Limpopo residents, up in arms about why the “coronavirus” has to be brought their way.
The backlash also comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus a global pandemic on Wednesday. The Ranch Hotel was allegedly identified following a breakdown of talks over the initial quarantine points, in the Free State and Kwa Zulu Natal provinces.
Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha said the hotel in Polokwane will only be used for quarantine purposes. He also pleaded for calm in the province.
“Patients who needed to be in isolation and are infected with the disease will be airlifted to other areas for treatment. Those who have the slightest possibility of having contracted the virus will be accommodated elsewhere. This are our fellow brothers and sisters (South Africans) stranded in a foreign land. Lets assist them way we can.”
