KNYSNA NEWS - The local department of health visited the overcrowded taxi rank in Knysna on Friday where it interacted with the taxi association and hawkers about ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Speaking with the crowd, the department's Zama Soko said, "We would like the association to help us in the fight against the virus by preventing the spread of the virus because prevention is better than cure. We encourage people to wash their hands every time they get into the taxi and for the surfaces to be cleaned," he said.
When it comes to using taxis, Soko said, "We would like all taxis to have sanitisers and clean their surfaces so that we limit the chances of spreading the virus. There's a need to bring the culture of washing hands to both hawkers and the association." Soko also suggested that those who cannot afford to buy sanitisers, make their own mixture of Dettol, Savlon or bleach mixed with water to clean hands and surfaces of the taxi.
"We encourage people who have the Covid-19 symptoms which are coughing, fever, tiredness and difficulty breathing to please go to the nearest clinic. There are special rooms dedicated for people who are going to test for the virus," he said.
He added that it is better to prevent the spread of the virus now because when people are infected it would be difficult for the department to help everyone because of its limited resources.
"Hospitals in this district don't have enough ventilators to help many people. It is better to deal with the virus now rather than waiting until things get out of hand. If the virus gets into the squatter camps it would be difficult to control and people will eventually have to be taken out of that area to a place where they will be kept," he said.
Hawkers complained of their open stalls and lack of water in the taxi rank, and called on the government departments to assist them in having water available.
Uncedo Taxi Association secretary Abongile Mboniswa thanked the department of health for their assistance and promised to play their part in preventing the spread of the virus.
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