The Newcastle Municipality Communications Unit has confirmed that two municipal employees have tested positive for COVID-19. Currently, both employees are in isolation.
Furthermore, in line with the Covid-19 Department of Health protocols, two units have been closed until necessary disinfection and decontamination measures are conducted. The Communications Unit adds that employees who have been in contact with the infected staff members will also undergo testing and self-isolation.
Read more: Newcastle Municipality employee tests positive for COVID-19
However, as a precautionary measure and to ascertain the extent of the risk of exposure of other employees, and as gazetted in the Covid-19 regulations, the municipal Tower Block building will temporarily close from Thursday, July 9, until Sunday, July 12.
“Municipal staff are urged to stay home during that period until the entire building has been decontaminated. Essential frontline staff will continue to work remotely and render basic services to the community,” the Communications Unit explains.
The municipality further wishes both staff members and the community who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, a speedy recovery.
As the Newcastle Municipality closes its Tower Block building until July 12, serious allegations have surfaced regarding the Community Safety Department.
According to sources, there is no sanitisers for the public at the door. Nor is there much sanitiser for the staff to use during their respective shifts.
“A lot of the staff are nervous, as they feel exposed. There are no sanitisers at the door, nor social distancing markers. This puts the staff at risk,” one source claims.
Another source claims the fire department and traffic department are not cleaned as often as it should. “There is a lady who cleans the office, but she only comes in once a week. That sees the staff having to sanitise and clean their respective areas at the beginning and end of each shift. This is not right at all.”
However, the Communications Unit claims the allegations are baseless and unfounded.
“It’s unfortunate that individuals would spread malicious rumours during such difficult times. The municipality has put in place stringent safety measures in a bid to ensure that staff and members of the public are protected from COVID-19,” the Communications Unit claims.
Furthermore, it claims this is not the time to point fingers or play the blame game.
“We need to be united and help each other. Any narrative which seeks to undermine the efforts of the municipality is unfortunate. Our frontline employees have gone beyond the call of duty and for that, we need to applaud them,” the Communications Unit concludes
Read more: Newcastle Fire Department’s phone line allegedly disconnected
