Despite the 21-day lockdown announced by the president last week, the streets of Chatsworth were lined with shoppers in the vicinity of major shopping centres and malls.

The Coronavirus Action Committee (COVAC), formed by volunteers from the Nelson Mandela Youth and Community Centre and community activists amid the pandemic, has further implemented government’s programme of action, conducting various operations across Chatsworth and surrounding areas.

Despite the 21-day lockdown announced by the president last week, the streets of Chatsworth were lined with shoppers in the vicinity of major shopping centres and malls.

Members of the committee engaged with authorities and were hands-on by helping to ensure that people adhered by the public gathering rules, that taxis and shops provide sanitizers, and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable, were taken care off.

Volunteers were also instrumental in assisting with crowd control and effective social distance measures were implemented both inside and outside local malls and stores.

The committee wishes to reiterate to elderly residents and those, who collect a social grant, that the grant will be available to them for the entire month of April. Therefore, if there is no urgency or need to withdraw money, it will still be available.

The Coronavirus Action Committee encourages residents to follow the simple rules below to try to curb the spread of germs:

*Wash your hands regularly.
*Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap.
*If you do not have access to running water, use a hand sanitizer regularly.
*Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
*Stay one meter or more away from people.
*Social distancing is a must.
*As far as possible, avoid contact with others.
*Stay at home unless you must shop for food, necessities or go to work.
*When you cough, hold a tissue to your mouth and nose or cough into your elbow.
*Dispose of the tissue immediately.
*Avoid public transportation whenever possible.
*If you use public transport, insist on hand sanitizer being provided.
*As far as possible, work from home and skip social gatherings.

Every single reduction in the number of contacts you have per day with relatives, friends and co-workers, will have a significant impact on the ability of the virus to spread.

If you think you have contracted the virus, call 0800-111132.

For information on the coronavirus/ COVID-19 pandemic via Whatsapp, send a message to 060-012-3456.

To donate or contribute towards food hampers for the underprivileged and elderly residents of the community, or for more information on COVAC, contact Clive Pillay on 061-429-2574.