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GEORGE NEWS - George Municipality has confirmed today that an essential service official within the Community Services Directorate has tested positive for Covid-19.

The relevant buildings have consequently been closed for disinfection as is standard practice and all co-workers are in self-quarantine, will be screened and tested if so required. 

Black Bag Refuse Collection will be completed for today, however the municipality will not be able to continue with refuse removal for at least 14 days.

The public is to please note that Blue and Green Bag collection will continue as per usual – note this is a private service provider contracted to the George Municipality. We can also confirm that street cleaners will continue to work as per normal. 

Our cleansing staff have been at the forefront of this pandemic for months now and we trust that the public understands the difficult position this has put the municipality in. The procurement process is being set in motion to appoint a service provider that could assist during this period and we will update the public accordingly as soon as is possible. 

Please do not put your Black Bags out for the rest of this week as they will not be collected. 

Municipal Manager, Mr Trevor Botha emphasized that the safety of our staff as well as that of the public remain a priority and we ask that the public and our officials remain calm as all of the protocols are being addressed in terms of Covid-19 safety measures. 

All of our essential workers have been issued with and are wearing the correct PPE whilst performing their functions to protect themselves and any members of the public they may have been in contact with. All municipal officials strictly follow the guidelines from the Health Department with their temperatures screened daily and social distancing measures practised in our workspaces.

The George Provincial Health department is responsible for the contact tracing to find any persons the officials may have been in contact with outside the workplace and the municipality is assisting the Health practitioners where possible.

Advice about the steps you can take to help reduce the potential for cross-contamination due to the COVID-19 outbreak: 

Our Cleansing officials are providing essential services to make sure your refuse collections continue and that your refuse is correctly processed. All of us should respect the work they are doing.

Everyone has a part to play in keeping refuse collections running.

• wash your hands, before and after handling your black refuse, blue recycling and green garden refuse bags
• cloths, wipes and gloves or any other personal protective equipment (PPE) that you use for cleaning should be placed in your general black refuse bag
• do not put tissues in your recycling blue bags - there are people sorting your refuse, please respect their health and safety
• if you have a wheelie bin, always disinfect your bin handles and lids before and after collection
• Remember to keep at least two metres away from your refuse collectors.
• Taking these steps will help stop the spread of the virus to your refuse collectors, your neighbours and to others.

More useful links:
NATIONAL COVID-19 hotline on 0800 029 999.
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL COVID-19 HOTLINE on 021 928 4102
WHATSAPP SUPPORT LINE 0600 123 456 - Put the number into your contacts and Whatsapp “Hi”
For more information and the latest news on COVID-19, please click here. 

Notes on testing positive: The Western Cape Health Department issued a media statement several week’s ago in which they confirmed that community transmission of Covid-19 is now well established in the Western Cape, which means that many people will be infected. However, it must also be noted that about 80 - 90% of people who contract Covid-19, will be able to recover without hospitalization. 

Anyone can be infected with Covid-19 and anyone can carry the virus, even without showing symptoms. The Coronavirus does not discriminate between age, gender, race, or disability.

Please remember that there is no shame in being referred for testing or testing positive. Also remember most people will recover after a mild illness. Covid-19 does not discriminate, and anyone can be infected. Our officials need to support those who have tested positive. 

It is normal to feel scared, anxious, confused and even panic because of the virus and what we don’t know. But these feelings should not make you discriminate against someone who has tested positive. We must offer our support. Although you should avoid physical contact, you can support them by messaging or calling to ask how they are doing. 

Remember, it is a difficult time for the infected or affected people and they need compassion, love, and support. Instead of stigmatising or discriminating, you can offer to help them.

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