In a letter from the mayor, Stellenbosch municipality reached out to residents with a message of encouragement. Mayor Gesies van Deventer urged everyone to act with kindness and consideration towards one another and gave the assurance that the municipality is working hard to stem the tide of the virus.
In the letter from the mayor, the Stellenbosch Municipality outlined the essential steps taken by the municipality in accordance with the President’s decision to declare a national state of disaster and said:
“Every decision we make is in the interest of public health and safety. We will continue to work with our national and provincial partners to ensure that measures are in place to curb the spread of the virus. Limiting physical and social contact is essential in curbing the spread of the virus. I therefore urge residents to help us curb the spread of the virus by doing the following:
- Social distancing is imperative – keep a distance of at least 1 meter between you and the next person, especially in public spaces; do not shake hands or hug when greeting one another, minimize physical contact.
- Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Sanitize your hands and surfaces with an effective sanitizing product.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and throw it away after use
- Take additional vitamins to boost your immune system
We encourage residents to please pay attention to official announcements, and follow the instructions being given. Fake or inaccurate information remains a challenge.
We urge all residents not to participate in the distribution of inaccurate, unverified or false information. Spreading fake news on COVID-19 is a punishable offence. Please consult official sources if you have any doubts or concerns. For official COVID-19 advice, updates and queries:
- National Hotline 0800 029 999
- WhatsApp 0600 123 456
- Provincial Hotline 021 9284102
We are aware that the outbreak of COVID-19 will present a challenging time for our region as it will have an adverse effect on our thriving tourism and hospitality industries. We urge every business owner to act in the best interest of our community and to adhere to the restrictions and guidelines outlined by national government.
I call on all residents to stay calm during this time of crisis. Please act with kindness and consideration towards all citizens, and be mindful that social isolation will be challenging for many people. Please check in on your loved ones via electronic communication, and please do not panic buy as it contributes to a stressful environment during this difficult time.”
Please visit the dedicated COVID-19 page on the municipal website for regular updates.
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