Behaviour change will help reduce Covid cases

In order for us in the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) to overcome the declaration as a COVID-19 hotspot as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday, we have to immediately adapt our behaviour to one that adheres to all health protocols. This will help to protect ourselves and others, while also reducing the speed at which the virus is currently being spread.

Towns that form part of the Garden Route District are:

1. Bitou – Plettenberg Bay, Keurboomstrand, Kurland, Kranshoek, Kwanokuthula, Nature’s Valley and Wittedrift.
2. George – George, Wilderness, Hoekwil, Glentana, Herolds Bay, Victoria Bay, Haarlem, Uniondale, Herold and Noll.
3. Hessequa – Albertinia, Still Bay, Riversdale, Heidelberg, Slangrivier, Jongensfontein, Blombos, Gouritsmond, Puntjie, Witsand, etc.
4. Kannaland – Calitzdorp, Zoar, Ladismith and Van Wyksdorp.
5. Knysna – Knysna, Sedgefield, Brenton, Buffels Bay, and Rheenendal.
6. Mossel Bay – Boggoms Bay, Brandwag, Buisplaas, Dana Bay, Glentana, Fraaiuitsig, Friemersheim, Great Brak River, Hartenbos, Herbertsdale, Hersham, KwaNonqaba, Little Brak River, Outeniqua Beach, Reebok, Ruiterbos, Southern Cross, Tergniet and Vleesbaai.
7. Greater Oudtshoorn – De Rust, Dysselsdorp, Oudtshoorn and Volmoed.

As at 16:40 on Monday, 14 December 2020, the GRDM had 22 015 cases with a recovery rate of 16 050.

In conjunction with the executive mayor of the GRDM, Alderman Memory Booysen, we will conduct a virtual District Coordinators Forum this Thursday with all Municipal Mayors and relevant business, religious and community leaders to ascertain how we as a collective will address the surge. Our primary aim is to with earnestness reverse the how the virus is spreading.

I’d like to thank those who are continuing to adhere to all the health prescripts. I also commend our frontline workers who amidst the renewed surge of the virus, continues to remain professional and courteous.

I implore all those who still have little to no regard for the seriousness of this virus to change their behaviour.

In order for us to protect life, let’s wear a mask, regularly wash or sanitise our hands, keep a safe distance of at least 1,5m and at all cost avoid gatherings where space can be an issue.

The onus is on us if we’re to bring about a change in the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) .