KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala riots

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala.
Source: Facebook/KZN Government

COVID-19: KZN government issues stern warning to holiday makers

KZN Premier, Sihle Zikalala has issued a stern warning to those who will be visiting the province during the upcoming winter holidays.

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala riots

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala.
Source: Facebook/KZN Government

The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) government has issued a stern warning to holiday makers who will be visiting the province on the upcoming winter holidays. Sihle Zikalala says the province will not compromise on compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

With the winter holidays are approaching, KZN becomes the destination of choice for many.

COVID-19: CONCERN OVER HOLIDAY MAKERS IN KZN

During the briefing, Zikalala said that the current increase in cases is driven, to a large extent, by school and family clusters.

“We are concerned with the upcoming winter school break due to the fact that our second wave happened during holiday seasons as many people travelled to the Province for the holidays. We welcome all the visitors who will be enjoying themselves at our beaches and other areas, however, we urge everyone to understand that we will not compromise on compliance with COVID-19 protocols.

“Everyone should actually become much more vigilant than before in curbing the spread of the virus. We re-iterate that no events should violate the level 3 lock down regulations. Those who violate regulations will face the full might of the law. The Province is nevertheless prepared for any resurgence of cases in terms of bed availability and oxygen capacity,” Zikalala said.

KZN Premier

Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane urged parents to keep children who were feeling unwell at home.

“The second wave showed us that one of the contributing factors was the fact that schools were closed, people were visiting each other, and a lot of young people were throwing parties.

“We are a bit worried, hence we have this briefing. Curbing the number of infections does not just lie with government. We have found clusters of infections within schools. Parents must also take responsibility. Once the virus spreads among learners, it will go very far.”

KZN Health MEC

KZN continues to rank as the second-highest in terms of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases countrywide, contributing 19% or 346 329 of the cases.We rank as the fourth highest in terms of fatalities countrywide, following Eastern Cape, Gauteng and Western Cape.

Within the latest 24-hour reporting period, the province has reported 589 new COVID-19 infections and 1 new fatality, bringing to 10 615 the number of people who have passed away due to COVID-19 in the Province, since the pandemic started.

READ: Covid-19 Latest: Has the third wave of the pandemic hit KZN?