KwaZulu-Natal reports a slight decline in rate of Covid-19 infections

The council welcomed the detailed plan for the re-opening of the schools as presented by the MEC for Education Kwazi Mshengu.

The KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council invited all citizens and stakeholders to work together as the country prepares for the re-opening of the schools, starting with the return of the teachers on 25 May and the opening of the schools on the 1 June.

The Council stated that it understands the anxiety and concerns from some sectors of society as the country navigates unchartered territory defined by Covid-19.

It also believes the future of South Africa, which is children and young people in general, must not be allowed to be mortgaged by Covid-19 which, at this stage, appears may become a permanent feature in the lives of its people.

Parents and stakeholders have been assured that all necessary precautions will be taken to prevent infections and that all non-pharmaceutical requirements for preventing the spread of the pandemic, such as the cleaning and decontamination of schools and provision of PPE’s, and measures for social distancing will be adhered to.

KwaZulu-Natal reports another day without any deaths due to Covid-19:

It has been reported that the province is recording a slight decline in the rate of infections. However, the province is still one of those with the highest infection rates and is currently sitting at number four in national rankings.

The executive council welcomed the increase in the number of people who have recovered from Covid-19, which to date stands at 818, as well as the news that the province has gone another day without any deaths recorded.

The executive council approved the programme by the Department of Health to recruit more than a 1 000 healthcare workers, including nurses, medical officers, physiotherapists, psychologists and other categories of staff.

Disaster management relief grant:

The council has welcomed the approval by national government of the Municipal Disaster Relief Grant to the amount of R47.4-million.

The province had submitted a request for R86.7-m based on the analysis of emergency projects required.

The funds received, even though not sufficient, will assist in meeting the immediate needs created by Covid-19.

The funds, which have been transferred to municipalities, will assist in undertaking the sanitation issues, decontamination of specific selected municipal spaces, provision of PPE, hygiene packs and waste management.

The Provincial Government and Local Government Lockdown Recovery Plan will be unveiled soon by the Governance, State Capacity and Institutional Development Cluster.

The KwaZulu-Natal Executive Council stated that it supports the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) efforts to find a permanent solution to this pandemic and further stated that Africa is ready to contribute to the survival of humankind.

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