Second mall-based Covid-19 facility unveiled
“The Bloed Street Mall accommodates one of the biggest transport hubs in the city, servicing almost 20 surrounding communities.”
A second mall-based Covid-19 screening and testing facility has been launched in the CBD.
The 20-day facility was unveiled by Rebosis Property Fund (Rebosis), the Tshwane metro and other partners such as the Gauteng department of health and FaithCare Medicals.
Rebosis spokesperson Putco Mafani said although this was the third mall-based facility launched in Tshwane, it was, however, only the second of its kind in the CBD.
The facility was unveiled at the Bloed Street mall.
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Mafani said health authorities identified Tshwane as a Gauteng virus hotspot, which led to screening and testing facilities being rolled out at Forest Hill City and the Sunnypark mall.
“Almost 30 000 people have been screened. Of these, about 7 450 were tested, with only 20% testing positive,” he said.
Rebosis commercial director Zandile Kogo said facilities such as these have become a key component in flattening the curve.
“The Bloed Street mall accommodates one of the biggest transport hubs in the city, servicing almost 20 surrounding communities.
“A site of this magnitude, in this unique area, is truly needed and will curb any issues relating to the accessibility of reliable and quality screening and testing facilities.”
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Tshwane metro health administrator Lebohang Mahaye expressed gratitude for all the efforts of the strategic partners.
“This has unlocked access for communities that would not otherwise have the means to pay for screening and testing.”
Tshwane metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba said this partnership was part of the metro’s drive to target the identified coronavirus hotspots in Tshwane.
“Thus far, the city has held screening and testing in most of the identified hotspots in all the seven regions and will continue to revisit some of the areas as and when the need arises,” said Bokaba.
He said the ward-based plan was done in conjunction with sister departments such as the health department, Tshwane metro police, the mayor’s office and the speaker, housing and human settlement department, community and social development.
It also involved the services department, economic development and spatial planning department, group communication, marketing and events and external partners such as taxi associations, malls and shopping centres.
“The plan is spearheaded by the metro’s command council under the stewardship of a team of administrators led by Mpho Nawa,” said Bokaba.
“The testing at shopping malls gives shoppers and members of the community around the shopping centre, access to testing facilities free of charge,” said Gauteng health spokesperson Kwara Kekena.
Kekana said to date, screening and testing had been successfully conducted at the other two malls
This comes as Covid-19 statistics in Gauteng have shown a gradual drop in infection rates.
The Bloed Street mall screening and testing facility will operate on weekdays from 09:00 to 16:00.
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