Community support vital in week seven of COVID-19 lockdown
08 May 2020
Statement by the City's Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato
As we are entering the seventh week of the national lockdown, I want to thank Capetonians for playing their part during this very challenging time.
The City of Cape Town is doing all we can to support the National Government’s efforts to contain the Coronavirus, limit the spread, and flatten the curve. We have raised our concerns with the National Government in instances where we believe the National Disaster Management Act regulations have been inadequate or inappropriate.
Among these, was the request to broaden the list of essential items for sale, such as stationery and hardware items. We are pleased that the National Government has seen reason to considerably expand this list of items to allow for more sectors of the economy to be opened up.
Another matter that we are still pursuing is our request to National Government to remove the requirement for BEE certification from the conditions placed on business owners seeking financial assistance. Preventing thousands of struggling businesses from accessing much needed financial aid during this time will have a devastating effect on our economy, especially considering how many of these businesses employ large numbers of employees.
Taking into account the Intergovernmental Relations Framework, I have also written to the National Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, and requested a meeting to negotiate and put forward our request that all SMMEs be allowed to apply for financial aid regardless of their race. We will not hesitate to take this matter further as millions of jobs and businesses are on the line.
Food security remains a concern. I trust that the South African Social Security Association (SASSA) has done the necessary preparatory work and that with the re-opening of their regional offices and the opening of their local offices next week, they are now ready to assist our residents with much needed food aid. While we have provided equipment and food supplies to soup kitchens across the City, the National Government remains the primary stakeholder when it comes to assisting with food aid.
We are also saddened by the passing of two City employees due to the Coronavirus. We extend our condolences to the family, friends, colleagues and loved ones of these colleagues. Out of respect for the families, and patient confidentiality, we will not disclose any further details about this matter, except to say that these two employees did not have any interaction with the public during the course of their work. We have implemented the appropriate track and trace protocols with the few staff members with whom they have had contact, and who are now self-isolating.
The City of Cape Town continues to deliver essential services during this unprecedented time. I call on the public to please be patient during this lockdown period. We have contingencies in place, but the reality is that COVID-19 will have an impact on our service delivery from time to time.
We are seeing more infections now than during the first weeks of the lockdown. With the worst yet to come, we need to be even more vigilant with our personal safety measures by continuing to wash our hands regularly, maintaining physical distancing at all times, and wearing a mask when we leave the house.
We have also introduced a number of business support services during this time and I encourage all business owners, as well as those in the tourism industry, to log on to www.investcapetown.com and engage with the material that we have made available.
By working together, we will get through this.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
