Image: News.Sky
Faizel Patel – 11/12/2020
As South Africa experiences a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, professor and president of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) Glenda Gray has urged religious communities and leaders to ensure that there is no overcrowding in places of worship.
Professor Gray was speaking to Radio Islam on Thursday following the announcement by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize that South Africa is now officially experiencing a second wave of Coronavirus infections.
Mkhize indicated that the provinces which are key drivers of this new wave include the Eastern- and Western Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Gauteng.
Professor Gray says there is more likelihood of contracting and spreading the Coronavirus in a congested and contained area.
“For the religious leaders and religious communities, the important thing is to make sure that there is no overcrowding; that there’s good adequate ventilation. If worshipping can happen in more open spaces that’s better and also to make sure the area that you are worshipping in isn’t crowded. Also to make sure people who are sick and who have got symptoms don’t come to worship.”
Professor Gray also shared some advice to those who have made holiday plans and are perhaps travelling to COVID-19 hotspots and whether they should cancel or not.
“You should be able to go on holiday. If you go on holiday, we would suggest that you try and do all your activities outside and that you mix with people that you know are not going to put you at risk for getting COVID too. So it’s important that you continue to wear your masks, socially distance and mix with each other in open areas and try not to meet in close areas and not have crowds of more than ten people at family gatherings.”
Professor Gray says while the country is experiencing is a second wave, businesses and people need to be responsible in adhering to the COVID-19 regulations to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus and to avoid stricter measures being applied.
Listen to the interview with Professor Glenda Grey
0 Comments