The Health Ministry has urged people who have attended the so-called “Rage” events around the country to get tested for the coronavirus as soon as possible. In a statement, the Ministry says the Rage events were super spreaders of COVID-19.
The parties took place in Ballito, Plettenberg Bay, Johannesburg and Jeffery’s Bay.
The ministry also says those who have attended Rage events are now considered COVID-19 contacts and must go into a 10-day quarantine period. It has urged parents of attendees to take their children for testing.
Rage 2020 matric events identified as super spreader for COVID-19:
The Ministry says this is a clear illustration that large gatherings involving alcohol consumption undermine efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
“We also encourage parents to take their children who have attended Rage for testing as soon as possible. We warn South Africans that this is a clear illustration that large gatherings which involve the consumption of alcohol, are a major risk and continue to undermine our efforts to contain the spread of the virus,” the Department said in a statement.
It has urged parents to exercise their parental prerogative.
“Whilst government makes an effort to contain this virus, we now plead with all parents to also exercise their parental prerogative and set boundaries on activities that their children (specifically the youth) can participate in. It is clear that in these entertainment activities, most participants are not constantly conscious of good behaviour.”
People are also urged to download and install the COVID Alert App.
The Ministry has urged South Africans not to let their guard down and continue to wear masks, practice social distancing and wash their hands on a regular basis.
