Faizel Patel – 19/03/2021
As the country heads into the long weekend, Gauteng Premier David Makhura has pleaded with travellers, religious leaders and residents to limit gatherings ahead of the Easter holiday.
Makhura was speaking during the Gauteng Command Council update on Friday saying he is particularly worried about public gatherings as the province prepares for the long weekend and Easter break.
Gauteng, which is the country’s epicentre has recorded 10,098 deaths and more than 420,000 positive Coronavirus infections.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Makhura’s spokesperson Vuyo Mhaga says data is beginning to show that surges are on the way in Gauteng.
“The premier was sending a message that people must treat the current level one like a level three because in all honesty COVID has not ended, some areas have not dropped to the level that we want. If you look at Johannesburg, your Region G, your Region A, Ekurhuleni, Ekurhuleni North as well as South and Sedibeng generally, it has not dropped to the level of comfort.”
Mhaga says the premier was also concerned about public transport which poses a risk as it increases movement within the province.
“A lot of our people obviously are still using public transport and people will obviously use those transport going there. So we’ll actually send messages to the taxi drivers as we have done before to make sure that we communicate with them and make sure there’s enough ventilation but also the masks are on those who will be travelling.”
On Thursday, Professor Shabir Mahdi told Radio Islam the behaviour of the virus and the behaviour people may determine the emergence and magnitude of the third wave in South Africa.
Listen to the interview with Vuyo Mhaga
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