Mkhize: Districts to be assigned ‘levels of lockdown’
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize says government is preparing different levels of lockdown for the country’s various districts.
In a statement on Thursday, Mkhize said government is preparing a district-based approach to curb the spread of coronavirus.
"Districts with higher levels of infection, will be assigned levels of lockdown.
“These include districts that have therefore been differentiated in accordance with the average active cases experienced over one week. Depending on the average active cases per 100 000 people, districts will be assigned levels of lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus," Mkhize explained.
The Western and Eastern Cape have shown an increase in cluster outbreaks leading to the emergence of hotspots in both provinces.
The two provinces account for more than 50% of the country’s Covid-19 cases.
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Mkhize says both regions require targeted efforts to track and trace contacts.
“Community organisations, specifically local government, civil society, religious organisations and community policing forums – will be empowered to monitor compliance and enforce regulations.
“This should mobilise communities together, rather than create hostility against members of the police and the army.”
To date the Western Cape has 6713 confirmed cases of Covid-19, while the number of cases in the Eastern Cape stood at 1534.