Lockdown moves beyond Walvis
The entire Erongo Region will be locked down for 14 days after blatant disregard of health and safety regulations.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
Government has extended the stage one state of emergency lockdown regulations to the entire Erongo Region following blatant disregard of health and safety regulations imposed on Walvis Bay.
This after three coronavirus cases were reported at the harbour town since last month.
The biggest headache plaguing the health ministry, which has contributed to the extended lockdown, is that it has so far been unable to ascertain where one of the Walvis Bay cases was infected.
Only essential or critical services personnel will now be allowed to move around the region, while it is advised that only one person per household go to supermarkets to buy essential products.
All old-age homes will also be placed under immediate isolation, and caregivers must be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment.
High risk
This was announced by President Hage Geingob yesterday, who said the potential for community spread and the risk level for Walvis Bay and surrounding towns is high and necessitates stringent measures to curb further spread. This lockdown will take effect immediately and will be imposed for the next 14 days.
“We aim to ultimately stop and prevent the uncontrolled spread of infection throughout the country and possibly stop the spread altogether through effective detention, quarantine, testing and treatment,” Geingob said.
Aggressive measures
Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula yesterday said testing will be actively pursued during this time. “The urgent and aggressive measures will challenge us as a nation but we are convinced that the cost of not acting now will be far greater. “The lockdown of Erongo Region will be accompanied by continued public health response to provide screening, testing, contact-tracing, quarantine, isolation and medical management,” he said.
Shangula added that relief measures are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly.
According to the Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka, those who need to urgently travel can still make use of their permits if they are still valid.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Government has extended the stage one state of emergency lockdown regulations to the entire Erongo Region following blatant disregard of health and safety regulations imposed on Walvis Bay.
This after three coronavirus cases were reported at the harbour town since last month.
The biggest headache plaguing the health ministry, which has contributed to the extended lockdown, is that it has so far been unable to ascertain where one of the Walvis Bay cases was infected.
Only essential or critical services personnel will now be allowed to move around the region, while it is advised that only one person per household go to supermarkets to buy essential products.
All old-age homes will also be placed under immediate isolation, and caregivers must be equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment.
High risk
This was announced by President Hage Geingob yesterday, who said the potential for community spread and the risk level for Walvis Bay and surrounding towns is high and necessitates stringent measures to curb further spread. This lockdown will take effect immediately and will be imposed for the next 14 days.
“We aim to ultimately stop and prevent the uncontrolled spread of infection throughout the country and possibly stop the spread altogether through effective detention, quarantine, testing and treatment,” Geingob said.
Aggressive measures
Health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula yesterday said testing will be actively pursued during this time. “The urgent and aggressive measures will challenge us as a nation but we are convinced that the cost of not acting now will be far greater. “The lockdown of Erongo Region will be accompanied by continued public health response to provide screening, testing, contact-tracing, quarantine, isolation and medical management,” he said.
Shangula added that relief measures are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly.
According to the Attorney-General Festus Mbandeka, those who need to urgently travel can still make use of their permits if they are still valid.
[email protected]
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