Plettenberg Bay virus fog-off is back on track

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The first in a series of "fogging" efforts in Plettenberg Bay, which caused some controversy among locals last week, commenced on Monday after Bitou Municipality gave the decontamination initiative the green light.

Plett Tourism's new chief executive Marius Venter last week announced plans to embark on an environmental campaign involving a disinfection "fog" to be sprayed in "high risk areas" by a professional team.

Similar efforts have been done in various countries around the world following the outbreak of Covid-19.

The announcement caused a divide among the town's residents with several raising concerns over the initiative's safety for the environment and the community, while others supported the efforts saying it would be a step in the right direction in keeping the virus out of the town.

Two sets of petitions
It eventually led to two sets of petitions – one in support of it and the other against it.

Photos: Plett's decontamination fogging

While the fogging was initially scheduled to take place on Friday 27 March, the municipality placed the decontamination on hold following the concerns raised by the community. In a statement, the municipality said that although they believed the efforts could have had a "huge impact" on combating the virus, they did not want to add to residents' stress levels during an already difficult time.

The decision was subsequently overturned on Saturday 28 March after a Covid-19 task team met and expert input was discussed.

One of these included local veterinarian Dr Jacqueline de Villiers. She said the product being used is called F10, a South African product initially created as a veterinary disinfectant and now widely used in most animal husbandry sectors including fish farming and beekeeping. The product recently gained more international exposure when it was used for disinfecting Singapore.

"F10 products are extensively used for general disinfection in vet practices, sterilisation of surgical equipment, flushing and treatment of wounds, nebulising etc. I have even recovered a toad, which had surgery on its leg, in a flat dish of diluted F10 for a few days post-op, successfully," De Villiers said.

She added, after consulting with F10 director and former matron of the Onderstepoort faculty of veterinary science in Pretoria, Linda Muller, that she found the product would be effective against the coronavirus.

According to safety studies, the product is biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

"We agreed that … contact spray of 'high touch' areas would be highly effective and recommended. Fogging/fumigating would only be effective in a contained space as the virus needs to come into contact with the product," De Villiers said.

Fumigating open spaces 'a waste of time'
The tourism body has managed to raise just over R40 000 through a few individuals in the private sector, to purchase 200 litres of F10. "One hand-held fogging unit will be used. After discussion it was agreed that fumigating open spaces is a waste but the inside of empty taxis, police vans, ambulances and other public transport vehicles could be fumigated while empty and closed, to be effective. High-contact points, such as taxi ranks, where there is possibly human excrement (spitting and gobbing) on floor surfaces, would be sprayed to reduce the risk of contamination by foot. ATM machines are not allowed to be sprayed (bank order) and will therefore be directly fumigated, obviously clearing the area of pedestrians first. All door handles in high-contact areas would be sprayed," said De Villiers.

"A resolution to allow disinfecting certain public areas was then taken. This means that fogging will be allowed to be done in the area. We were assured of the safety aspect and that it is not harmful to humans and pets," the municipality said in a statement.

It added that the areas identified for the disinfection include all taxi ranks, the Market Square Shopping Centre, ablutions at informal areas and other public areas.

"This is an attempt to promote good hygiene in the town."

The decontamination team fogging and spraying at the Plett police station.