rp nws resurgence lead

• Date: 09 December 2020
• Published date: 09 December 2020
• Publication title: Plainsman

Tafelsig, Lentegeur, Rocklands, Westridge, Portland and Colorado Park had seen the highest number of new active cases by Friday December 4.

Fatima Peters, a sub-district Covid-19 contact tracing manager, said their team had identified hot spots, where people were not physically distancing in public spaces, not wearing a mask or wearing it below the chin, which is not the correct way to wear a mask or face covering.

"People are attending large social gatherings and getting infected; they are not staying at home when having Covid-19 symptoms and visiting sick people, who later test positive," she said.

The Plainsman witnessed poor adherence to Covid-19 regulations in at least one incidence this weekend. The residents of Petunia Street, in Lentegeur, also known as "Klein Mecca", came together to celebrate a mini-minstrel carnival. Several busloads of people arrived and people clustered together with no physical distancing.

Ward 76 councillor Goawa Timm said she had no knowledge of the event on Sunday December 6.

"This is an ongoing occurrence which I do not know if they had a permit to do so. I unfortunately cannot stop it," she said.

Lentegeur SAPS spokeswoman, Constable Felicia Adams, said the SAPS Mitchell's Plain Cluster Covid team has been tasked to monitor these activities and to ensure that Disaster Management and Covid-19 protocols are adhered to.

The Plainsman approached one of the minstrel teams for comment regarding the December 6 event in Lentegeur but they denied involvement.

Muneeb Gambeno, one of the directors of the Kaapse Klopse Karnival Association (KKKA), said they have communicated to all the troops that health and safety come first.

"Troops are not to host any illegal events without permits, we have cancelled all events for the safety of everyone," he said, adding that the traditional Tweede Nuwe Jaar event will be celebrated in June next year.

"Despite the KKKA directive that klopse owners and leaders should not arrange nor participate in any road marches during the Covid-19 pandemic, certain klopse owners and leaders have still chosen to do so. This is irresponsible and not in line with the principles of the KKKA and the culture," Mr Gambeno said.

"We urge our klopse members and supporters to stay away from these dangerous gatherings and to contact the KKKA should they have any questions regarding klopse activities during the klopse season ahead," he said.

Eastridge general practitioner Dr Ellapen Rapiti has urged residents not to...