KAROO NEWS - The Joint Operation Committee (JOC), established by the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality to discuss plans and strategy during the current coronavirus crisis, held its first meeting on Wednesday.
Participants included the Departments of Health and Social Development, SAPS, councillors, and the municipality.
Terms of reference were established on how the committee will function, defining the roles and responsibilities of each department.
SAPS
SAPS have been working with the Department of Health since the beginning of the week, assisting at roadblocks to screen motorists entering the province. From Friday, the police’s primary responsibility will be to ensure the restriction of movement of persons and goods.
They will also monitor liquor outlets, and have foot patrol to make sure people stay at home. There may be no gatherings other than funerals, and these may only have 50 people.
Health
The Department of Health is looking to employ qualified nursing staff on short term contracts to help out at Midland Hospital, and possibly others in the area. An advertisement will be posted soon by the Department.
Nurses may be coming to Graaff-Reinet from Somerset East and other areas, and will need accommodation. Any guest houses or hotels that can offer help are asked to contact Marie de Vos, CEO of Midland Hospital, on 049 807 7702 or 083 378 0076.
Doctors will be pooled and allocated where needed, rather than be attached to one particular hospital.
Hospital visiting times
Patients at Midland Hospital can designate one family member or friend only as their visitor. Visiting time will be from 7.15pm till 8.15pm only.
Aberdeen Hospital visiting time is from 5pm to 6pm, with only one visitor at a time per patient.
To reduce the number of people passing through, both hospitals have asked people to go to the clinics for minor ailments, or treat themselves at home. All routine clinic visits have been cancelled.
Volunteers are needed for trace teams. CEO of Aberdeen Hospital, Patiswa Rilityana-Pietersen is arranging this, and can be contacted on 060 563 1294.
Quarantine units
Town halls in various towns had initially been suggested as isolation units, but these do not have suitable facilities. Other alternatives are being considered.
Water
The municipality gave the assurance that water-scarce communities would not be neglected, and water trucks would still circulate when necessary. Final arrangements still need to be made.
Awareness
Councillors were asked to assist in informing their communities of regulation by loudhailing or leaflets. This is essential, as many people without access to the internet and social media still appear to be unaware of the strict lockdown regulations.
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