Cogta warns communities against sport activities during Covid-19
The department said players and spectators in these soccer tournaments are susceptible to contract the virus and infect others.
HIGHVELD – The Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in Mpumalanga issued a stern warning against community members who violate level 3 lockdown regulations when organising soccer tournaments.
While group sport activities are prohibited as one of the measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, the department said that sport activities, mainly soccer, are widespread in formal and informal settlements as part of entertainment.
The department said players and spectators in these soccer tournaments are susceptible to contract the virus and infect others.
“Organisers and the players undermine the lockdown regulations and as such their conduct borders on undermining the efforts of preventing the transmissions of the virus in Mpumalanga,” said Mr Mandla Msibi, MEC for Cogta.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO) has scientifically proven a correlation between group gatherings and the infections. This evidence is the basis on which government decided to prohibit gatherings such as sport activities. We urge communities to stop these soccer tournaments and any other sport-related activities that violate the regulations,” said Mr Msibi.
He said Mpumalanga is experiencing a surge of infections and the province recorded more than 11 000 positive cases with more than 60 fatalities and more than 5 800 recoveries by the end of July. Mr Msibi said the rising infections should be a compelling case for behavioural change.
“The time has come for each one of us to act radically to prevent further transmissions in line with the Siyanqoba Sonkhe campaign. Parents must prevent their children against participation and local communities must refrain from attending as spectators.
“We also urge the Ward-based Covid-19 forums to monitor adherence to the lockdown regulations in their wards and to report any violation to their local police station,” ended Mr Msibi.
Also read: Soccer organisers fined for contravening Level 3 lockdown regulations
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