THE Durban North Police Station has been temporarily closed after an officer from the SAPS Durban North Cluster Office allegedly tested positive for Covid-19. The unit, which is situated at the back of the station, has also been cordoned off.

As a precaution the station has been closed for deep cleaning and will reopen to the public next week.

Chairman of the Durban North/Umhlanga CPF, Haden Searles said despite this the duties of the station had not been compromised.

He has encouraged members of the public to report to the uMhlanga SAPS satellite station to report crimes and for those needing permits or certifying documents  to visit either the Greenwood Park police station or Durban Central station.

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“I think it’s important to note that service delivery has not been affected. All shifts are operating as normal and officers on duty are now working at the uMhlanga satellite station based on Autumn Drive. The station was closed on Monday afternoon as a precautionary measure and the station is being deep-cleaned. That includes all touch points, prison cells and surfaces. The cluster office located at the rear of the station has also been cordoned off.

“The response from the station management has been excellent and it is clear there was a risk management strategy in place which helped protect personnel. The station has been temporarily closed as a purely precautionary measure and the public are at no risk so I urge residents not to panic. The officers who have contact with the allegedly infected member will be tested,” he said.

The closure of the station comes as the total number of coronavirus cases in the country soared past 34 300 on Monday evening with the national death toll surpassing 700.

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National police spokesperson, Brigadier Vish Naidoo confirmed a member at the SAPS Durban North Cluster Office had tested positive for the Covid-19 virus.

“While the member last performed duties on 25 May at the Cluster office and only tested positive on 1 June, as a precaution, the station has been temporarily closed and is undergoing decontamination. The station is now operating at Umhlanga Satellite Station on Autumn Drive during the decontamination process which started today,” he said.

To contact the satellite station call 031 566 8508 or 031 566 8500.

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