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KwaZulu-Natal is discouraging the organization of major events during the holiday season, as the country works 24 hours a day to contain the spread of Covid-19.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Executive Council (PEC), chaired by Prime Minister Sihle Zikalala, said it was determined to save lives as the number of cases peaks in the province.
“The Executive Council, following the advice of doctors and scientists, resolved not to encourage the celebration of important events in the province, due to the threat and risks imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Zikalala said on Wednesday.
The PEC has also reminded citizens that the country is still under blockade and that the state of disaster is still in force.
“People are encouraged to visit and enjoy KwaZulu-Natal province. They can carry out small family activities without compromising disaster management regulations, ”Zikalala said.
KwaZulu-Natal registered 544 new cases on Wednesday and ranks fourth highest in terms of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases nationwide, contributing to 16% (128,697) of the total cases nationwide.
Zikalala said that while the government understands the social and economic impact of not hosting major events in popular venues during the holiday season, the lives of citizens are important and must be protected.
“The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has a duty to protect the lives of citizens and does not want to make decisions that they may regret later.”
He said the PEC subcommittee will communicate which major event organizers will be affected and inform stakeholders about this decision.
Covid-19 contract workers
Meanwhile, the contracts of 7,051 employees, who were employed for six months, have been extended to strengthen the fight against the Coronavirus.
Zikalala said that the retention of staff members for an additional six months to work on the Covid-19 sites is a huge boost for the province’s Covid-19 resurgence plans.
“It will ensure that the province is up to the task should the country be hit by a second wave of this deadly and incurable virus,” the prime minister said, adding that contracts will now end in March 2021.
Read: Ramaphosa will address the nation tonight on the Covid-19 pandemic
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