Newly-elected Executive Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Nqaba Bhanga, has attributed the decline in COVID-19 infections to the joint efforts of health workers and law enforcement agencies as well as the partnership with the public. He says the fight against this deadly pandemic is far from over.
“We’re optimisely cautious about the declining numbers of the coronavirus infections. Therefore, the fight for us to soldier on is still on and work together as partners in order to save lives and also save livelihoods.”
The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro was the initial hotspot when the infection rate flared up two months ago.
Nelson Mandela Bay declared COVID-19 hotspot:
The SAPS and the metro police also continued with their compliance campaign. The law enforcers visited night spots in some parts of the metro this weekend to ensure partygoers adhere to the State of Disaster regulations.
According to Metro Acting Director of Communication, Princes Tobin Diouff, a lack of compliance was noted in most of the venues. There is also confusion regarding the curfew.
“Unfortunately, because Nelson Mandela Bay is a hotspot, our curfew time is different to that of the rest of the country. The curfew time here is 10pm. Meaning that whatever you do must be done by 9pm to 9:30pm and by 10 o’clock you need to be inside your house and we have found that lot of people are still drinking in the streets, (and) there is no social spread of the coronavirus in the city.”
Just before the curfew kicked in on Saturday night, the police dispersed a large crowd that gathered in a tavern in Kwanoxolo. But their presence was not universally welcomed.
The police say they will continue with their compliance operations throughout the festive season.
COVID-19 restrictions for Nelson Mandela Bay Metro:
