The South African National Blood Services would like to remind the community that it is still safe to donate blood during the national lockdown.

SANBS staff in the field has been educated about COVID-19 and keeping their donors safe. SANBS is an essential service within South Africa and tasked with the responsibility to save lives they have therefore put strict measures in place.

Donor relations practitioner Thina Tuoane told WITBANK NEWS that SANBS is taking all the precautionary measures of cleaning equipment and donation beds regularly after each donation. SANBS have taken the two-meter social distancing between workstations to reduce any possibility of contamination.

“All donors are screened at the entrances, and we have placed antiseptic sprays and alcohol wipes in all centres. Hands are sanitized before they enter the donor centre or the mobile blood drive clinic, we offer an essential service within the country we, therefore, appeal to everyone to continue donating blood,” she said.

The SANBS is also making use of an appointment system. Regular donors who are called will be booked for an appointment and sent an SMS that they will use as a travelling permit to donate blood. Those who would like to book an appointment are welcome to contact 013 243 0245 and we will gladly book an appointment for them. The community needs to know that donating blood is essential to travel and even donors who present at the donor centre without an appointment will be accommodated.