"We keep on reminding our members not to crowd the MEC and the police commissioner. Social distancing remains an area of concern. It seems it happens unconsciously, but we are satisfied as compared to previously, when we look at shop owners. Many of them are complying in term of sanitation and social distancing," said the MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, on Easter Monday when she, Transport and Community Safety MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya and Makhado Mayor Samuel Munyai led a delegation to check lockdown adherence.
Their first port of call was Elim and later, Louis Trichardt town.
As they arrived at the taxi rank near Shoprite in Louis Trichardt, Ramathuba kept on reminding people of social distancing. As they went on their walkabout, she sprayed some passengers getting in the taxis with sanitizer and sprayed the inside and outside of some of the taxis.
At the other end, MEC Lerule-Ramakhanya wanted to know why some people had come to town and she checked their till slips.
Ramathuba was impressed that all the shops she visited were compliant. She also noted that the call for using homemade face masks was well received as she met some shoppers and shop assistants wearing cloth as face masks.
In Game, the manager sought clarification on the selling of non-essential goods, especially for mothers who may have new-born infants. "Anyone in that circumstance should have a letter from the hospital management, then one can be allowed to buy the stuff," said Dr Ramathuba.
She was impressed by hospital following the regulations. As patients get into the hospital precinct, they are screened. At the patient waiting area, the benches are arranged and marked in a way for patients to adhere to social distancing easily.
Though Dr Ramathuba was generally impressed by the state of preparedness by the Louis Trichardt and Elim Hospital, she expressed concern that some health-care workers at Elim Hospital had no surgical masks.
As a roundup, the two MECs led a delegation for a roadblock on the N1 at the circle leading to Elim.
A person who had travelled all the way from the Eastern Cape to attend a funeral in Musina was advised to visit Musina Hospital first for testing before attending the funeral. He was escorted to Musina by the SAPS.
Meanwhile, a motorist on his way to Gauteng, claiming to be a South African soldier, was arrested for non-compliance and was taken to Makhado Police Station for questioning.