KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala provided the media with an update on the state of Covid-19 in the the province at a briefing in Pietermartizburg on Sunday.
Zikalala warns against COVID-19 ‘complacency’, urges vigilance
KZN Premier Zikalala has slammed complacent behaviour amongst KZN residents who he says aren’t wearing face masks or respecting curfew times.
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala provided the media with an update on the state of Covid-19 in the the province at a briefing in Pietermartizburg on Sunday.
KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier, Sihle Zikalala has slammed “complacent” behaviour displayed by citizens who he suggests no longer respect curfew times, face mask mandates or adhere to social distancing protocols.
Zikalala and KZN Health Minister Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu held a media briefing on Sunday, 24 April to give an update on the latest status of COVID-19 in the province, and added to a promise to vaccinate some three million people in the province warned that such complacency will result in frustrating setbacks.
ZIKALALA CONCERNED ABOUT ‘COMPLACENT’ BEHAVIOUR
During his briefing, Zikalala said that they have noted with a great sense of worry various forms of behaviour that indicate a high level of complacency when it comes to adherence to COVID–19 safety precautions.
“Far too many people seem to have lowered their guard. They’re no longer wearing their masks in public and many are carrying them for compliance; there’s no social distancing – let alone regular hand sanitising or washing of hands with water and soap,” he said.
“People are gathering in large groups, especially at restaurants, pubs, night clubs and taverns. Some shops are even allowing more people than required, while others seemingly don’t bother to have hand sanitiser at the door.”
‘CURFEW TIMES ARE ALSO NO LONGER BEING RESPECTED’
“We seem to be sliding back to the kind of complacency that consumed us towards the end of last year, just before the second waved came and ambushed us.
Zikalala pleaded with plead with citizens to remember that: once beaten, twice shy.
“As it happened with the second wave; the third wave will not announce itself. Yes, the numbers may be low at the moment, but COVID – 19 is still killing people,” he said.
As of today, the Province has recorded 10 369 deaths since Covid-19 started, we remain concerned that our Province continues to rank the fourth-highest in terms of fatalities countrywide.
The Department of Health is monitoring resurgence indicators which will alert the province to respond accordingly if there are spikes or signs of a resurgence of COVID-19 in the Province.
“If we are to avoid the calamity that we saw in December and January, we must start today, and behave as though the third wave is already here. It’s not enough to think that because you “know” and “trust” someone, then they are not infectious. It just doesn’t work like that,” Zikalala said.
