Safety in small numbers

GEORGE NEWS - No George council meetings will take place in the council chambers during the lockdown period. However, George Municipality is exploring electronic methods of continuing.

Municipal spokesperson Chantel Edwards-Klose said no meetings will be held in the council chambers, but the municipality is exploring electronic methods of continuing. If this realises, she said, "our IT department will investigate as to how the media could sign in as well".

The decision was taken last week Friday, 20 March, to cancel all meetings, including special and ordinary council meetings, Section 80 committee meetings as well as the monthly mayoral in-committee, which the public would ordinarily have been able to view from the conference venue.

Social distancing and IT
George Municipality continues to monitor the coronavirus crisis and is implementing the concept of social distancing.

Social distancing is defined as deliberately increasing the physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Staying at least two meters away from other people lessens your chances of catching Covid-19.

However, Municipal Manager Trevor Botha announced that measures will be put in place to facilitate communication through the use of technology.

"Our IT and finance departments have been called on to facilitate operational functionality within this abnormal situation caused by Covid-19 and the establishment of the national state of disaster," he said.

"The public is reminded that phoning in with queries, corresponding via e-mail or using online services where available are the preferred methods of contact."

Members of the public are also urged not to visit their ward councillors at their homes until further notice. Urgent matters must be dealt with telephonically or via text messages or e-mail.

Urgent matters must be dealt with telephonically or via text messages or e-mail.