Gauteng’s homeless moved to shelters ahead of lockdown

South Africa will go into a 21-day lockdown period on Friday in a bid to curb the rapid spread of coronavirus.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Friday that the country’s coronavirus toll has surpassed 900.

The department’s Jabulani Hlongwane says the homeless people will be temporarily moved to shelters for the next three weeks.

“The purpose of the visit by the MEC is to witness the state of readiness to accommodate the identified homeless people who ordinarily stay on open places and thus need to be sheltered properly during this difficult period.”

Hlongwane says the department will also supply food to vulnerable groups. including dignity packs to needy learners.

“We wish to reiterate that there will also be food supply to the vulnerable groups in Gauteng and it is important to note that priority will be given to those on ARVs, children on a nutritional programme, and the other categories such as the home-based sick and weak, those who depend on soup kitchen will be considered at a later stage.”

Additional hand sanitisers, gloves and mask will also be made available.

Hlongwane says the department will also supply food to vulnerable groups. including dignity packs to needy learners.

“We wish to reiterate that there will also be food supply to the vulnerable groups in Gauteng and it is important to note that priority will be given to those on ARVs, children on a nutritional programme, and the other categories such as the home-based sick and weak, those who depend on soup kitchen will be considered at a later stage.”

Additional hand sanitisers, gloves and mask will also be made available.

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