Oudtshoorn, 09 July 2020 – Refuse collection in the Greater Oudtshoorn has been interrupted today following information of a confirmed COVID19 infection among the cleansing services personnel.
Some of the refuse bags could not be collected today. The Cleansing Services Department has further confirmed that no further refuse collection will be done tomorrow. The services will resume on Monday, next week. Residents are whose refuse bags were not collected today are advised to take their bags back from the streets for next collection next week.
The interruption of cleansing services will also affect cleaning of open spaces. Residents are urged not to litter or dumb their refuse in open spaces.
The personnel who have been in direct contact with the confirmed COVID19 positive case in this department have been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days and observe any COVID19 symptoms they may develop. Those officials that had indirect or no contact with the confirmed COVID19 positive case will resume their duties on Monday next week.
Meanwhile, the Strategic Services offices situated at St. Johns Street have also been temporarily closed today also due to a COVID19 related incident. The offices will reopen on Monday, 13 July 2020.
The re-opening of the Finance pay offices that would have been on Friday, 10 July 2020 has not been moved to Monday, 13 July 2020 for reopening. These offices were temporarily closed on Tuesday, 7 July 2020 due to a confirmed COVID19 related infection in the staff.
The Traffic Department, which was also temporarily closed due to a COVID19 related incident remain closed and has been scheduled to reopen on Thursday, 16 July 2020.
Residents of the Greater Oudtshoorn are urged to continue to protect themselves from COVID19 infection by continuously washing their hands with soap, keep safe social distancing and stay at home.