The Department of Community Safety within the Newcastle Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal together with the local taxi association, SANTACO, is monitoring if taxi operators are complying with COVID-19 regulations.
The municipality says currently its taxi ranks, especially the long distance ones, are experiencing high volumes as commuters head to different destinations for the festive season.
KZN tightening its COVID-19 controls:
Municipal Mayor Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba says they will also stop and search private vehicles. He says those found in possession of alcohol will be arrested.
“They must continue to wear their masks; we have all the stakeholders here and they must also not exceed the required numbers in their public transport and private cars. So to make sure that we encourage them that they stay safe on the road; don’t drink and drive. President made an announcement that alcohol is up until Thursday, so we don’t expect even when we stop motorists here to be carrying alcohol.”
Testing centres busy
COVID-19 testing centres in the Durban CBD are busy this weekend. There are long queues of cars in the parking lot at the Durban Christian Centre, where two private laboratories continue testing for COVID-19.
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala is expected to provide an update on the state of the pandemic in the province on Sunday.
The latest figures in KZN put the total number of infections at over 151 000 cases; 16% of the country’s total infection burden. The province has so far suffered 3 574.
– Additional reporting by Minoshni Pillay.
Latest COVID-19 statistics:
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