On Sunday 15 March, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that South Africa has its first confirmed case of a local transmission of the new Coronavirus. During an address to the nation, the President also said total confirmed cases were now at 61 and declared a state of disaster over Coronavirus.
Missed the broadcast? Watch it here or read the full speech here.
The following measures have been put in place:
- Travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the US, the UK and China from March 18 2020 including cancelled visas to visitors from those countries from today and previously granted visas are hereby revoked.
- South African citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or through the EU, US, UK and other identified high-risk countries such as China, Iran and South Korea. This is effective immediately.
- Any foreign national who has visited high-risk countries in the past 20 days will be denied a visa.
- South African citizens returning from high-risk countries will be subjected to testing and self-isolation or quarantine on return to SA.
- Travellers from medium-risk countries — such as Portugal, Hong Kong and Singapore – will be required to undergo high-intensity screening.
- All travellers who have entered SA from high-risk countries since mid-February will be required to present themselves for testing.
- SA has 72 ports of entry in the country, which are land, sea- and airports. Of the 53 land ports, 35 will be shut down with effect from Monday March 16. Two of the eight seaports will be closed for passengers and crew changes.
- Effective immediately, all non-essential travel for all spheres of government outside the republic is prohibited.
- All non-essential domestic travel, particularly by air, rail, taxis and bus are discouraged.
As scary as this might sound, increasing your personal hygiene is the easiest way to prevent the spread of the disease. Remember, if you are a tenant, owner or scheme executive in a Sectional Title Scheme, there’s a lot of common areas where space is shared with others. Areas include the common children’s play area, tennis court, pool and braai area. Other areas where you could potentially pick up the virus can be the lift buttons, the biometric scanner at the gate and the railings on stair cases and walk ways.
HERE’S SOME BASIC TIPS:
Wash your hands frequently
Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water to kill viruses that may be on your hands.
Maintain social distancing
When someone coughs or sneezes, they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease. Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene
Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early
Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority as National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.
For more, view these videos from the World Health Organization.
What can people do to protect themselves and others from getting the new coronavirus?
Why is it recommended to avoid close contact with anyone who has fever and cough?
How is the new coronavirus affecting people who get it?
Business as usual at Fitzanne Estates
We want to reassure you that it’s business as usual at Fitzanne Estates. We are cooperating with the measures put in place by President Ramaphosa and will support all clients with any questions they may have on the situation. Sectional Title Schemes that have upcoming Annual General Meetings are encouraged to contact us so we can assist in providing the necessary guidance taking into consideration that no mass gatherings of 100 people or more should take place at the present time. We also have digital conference facilities available for necessary meetings.
Please contact us on info@fitzanne.co.za or call 012 342 3710 / 18.
Kindly note the CSOS offices are closed on 16 Monday, 2020 following the presidential advisory on the COVID-19. All conciliations & adjudications are cancelled for the day. For urgent matters contact Wanda Lubelwana 0827961805.
If you suspect that you have been infected, contact the official National Department of Health COVID-19 support service on +27 60 012 3456, providing up-to-date information on COVID-19 in South Africa. For the latest news follow them on twitter https://twitter.com/HealthZA
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