JB Marks spokesperson, Willy Maphosa, says three more officials under the municipality’s community safety directorate have tested Covid-19 positive forcing the municipality to temporarily shut down the vehicle testing and drivers licensing test centres respectively for a period “of no more than 10 days”, stresses Maphosa. The closure will enable all officials working at the stations to self-isolate, monitor symptoms and recuperate. He says the drivers licensing centre will reopen on 3 August.

This as OFM News reported that elsewhere in the North West, the Lichtenburg labour centre has been temporarily shut down following a confirmed Covid-19 case. The Chief Director of Provincial Operations in the North West, Andile Makapela, reveals the affected labour official engaged with other colleagues “due to the nature of her work”. As a result, it was decided the entire centre needed to be temporarily closed not only to undergo decontamination but to enable employees who came into contact with the Covid-19 positive official to self-isolate and observe their symptoms. Makapela says the provincial labour department will adhere to the necessary coronavirus protocols and regulations. It is yet to be determined when the labour centre, located over 70kms outside of the North West capital, Mahikeng, will be reopened.

The Department’s Director-General, Thobile Lamati, has reiterated the importance of looking after the wellbeing of the department’s employees. “Our officials are an important cog of the working of the South African economy and as such, we will also ensure that they are as safe as possible,” says the DG.

OFM News