CITY’S COVID-19 RELIEF MEASURES IMPLEMENTED IN HOT SPOT AREAS

Progress on the first phase rollout of the interventions taken to combat the spread of Covid-19 in hotspots in the City were outlined in a report tabled during an online Executive Committee meeting held today, 19 May.

The report outlined the next phase of the project which includes the mass sanitisation of common areas in informal settlements and the distribution of hygienic materials at informal settlements, community residential units (CRU’s), rental stock, residential accommodation and mass care centres.

The report states that the City has analysed high risk areas which require intervention and are marked by overcrowding. The report states that there are 280 000 people living in informal settlements, 9 500 living in transit camps and 20 000 residents located in CRU’s across the City. Furthermore, there are 9 000 families living in Council’s rental stock.

Phase one, which was conducted in March, saw hygienic material including soaps and sanitisers as well as educational pamphlets being distributed.

The second phase of the intervention will include the mass sanitisation of common areas, ablution facilities and within living spaces. Further hygiene material and educational campaigns will also be distributed.

The report notes that the provincial Department of Human Settlements in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture started the pilot project which included 22 informal settlements in eThekwini.

The City will enter into agreements to supply phase two interventions. EThekwini has 581 informal settlements, 11 CRU’s, 45 temporal residential accommodation, 9 000 Council stock and three mass care centres.