KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu urges the public to respect lockdown terms and conditions

26 March 2020

KwaZulu-Natal Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu has urged the public to abide by the strict terms and conditions of the national lockdown, which comes into effect at midnight today.

Speaking after distributing pamphlets to create awareness about the Novel Coronavirus at Amajuba District yesterday, the MEC said even though the lockdown may seem "exaggerated" to some, it is nevertheless essential in curbing the spread of the virus.

Accompanied by Amajuba District Mayor Dr Musa Ngubane and other officials, the MEC also met with members of the district Operation Sukuma Sakhe Task Team to enlighten them about COVID - 19.

The Task Team must then go back to communities and accelerate an educational campaign on how the virus can be prevented.

"We are very fortunate so far that we have not had any people losing their lives due to COVID – 19, and we want to keep it that way. That is why we are having such engagements. But we also decided as Amajuba District Task Team that we need to engage communities, and this is what we have done. We need to make sure that we make people aware, and get them to buy into the lockdown and understand that abiding by it is in their best interests,” said MEC Simelane-Zulu.

Here is what to do if you suspect you have COVID – 19:

• Those who use public healthcare are urged to contact their local health facility or the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) Hotline on 0800 029 999; or the Provincial Hotline on 033 846 6000.
• They will be required to explain their symptoms, where they have travelled, or with whom they have had contact.
• They will then receive advice on what to do.
• If they are unable to make a call, they are asked to visit their local health facility.
• Before entering the facility, they should alert it about their concerns that they might have Covid-19.
• They should expect to be asked to put on a face mask, and to be be asked to wait separately from other patients until a health worker can help them.
• Should they develop difficulty breathing, they are urged to seek care urgently, and call ahead to inform the health facility that they are en route.

Issued by the KZN Department of Health