GEORGE NEWS - Several businesses in George are taking strain as members of their workforce are in quarantine in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the bigger companies deal with larger case numbers, it is evident that they are well prepared, doing everything they can to manage the situation.
Oakhurst Insurance senior manager John Fourie confirmed that a number of their employees have tested positive for Covid-19. Some of them have already made a full recovery.
"All of the cases have been reported to the Covid-hotline as required," said Fourie. "I can also confirm that Oakhurst Insurance had two visits from the Department of Labour and one by the Eden District Municipality following our first and subsequent positive cases. Both institutions have expressed their satisfaction at how Oakhurst Insurance is managing the pandemic in relation to its offices."
The Lancewood production plant in Tamsui Industria also had its fair share of positive cases with continuous outbreaks and recoveries throughout the lockdown period.
Chief executive officer Cornél Lodewyks said to date, 16 positive cases have been identified at their plant, and have been addressed appropriately. "At this stage, 11 of the 16 staff members have recovered," he said.
"Our priority remains to keep our staff safe by ensuring that they have the necessary safety equipment at all times and strictly adhere to our protocol. We are grateful that we have so far been very successful in our efforts to keep everyone safe, and as a result our plant has been able to remain operational continuously." Lodewyks said although they apply strict protocol at the plant, they also rely on their staff's responsible actions in their personal capacity.
George Link, the operating company of the Go George bus service, has been hit hard with a double-digit number of employees testing positive. A reliable source confirmed that these cases are spread throughout the entire workforce, including administration.
George Herald is awaiting feedback from the company on how they are coping with the situation and what challenges they are facing.
Tuiniqua Care Centre confirmed their first positive Covid-19 case, with a staff member testing positive last Friday.
Tuiniqua's manager, Alani Voigt, said persons who may have had contact with the staff member have also been placed in quarantine with immediate effect.
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Group Editors (publications and online platforms) is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.
Related article: Tuiniqua staff member tests positive
'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'
