THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality recently conducted an outreach and public education programme in an effort to tackle the long queues at post offices across the metro.
The programme was launched after the NMBM noticed with concern that residents were not adhering to COVID-19 regulations when collecting their grants. This included the failure to wear masks and maintain a social distance while queueing.
Nelson Mandela Bay Acting Mayor, Tshonono Buyeye, said that they wanted to save as many lives as possible.
“We know that our message will not fall on deaf ears and even if it is only a few residents that will effectively use the information, it’ll mean that we have done our jobs.
“Many people’s lives can be saved just by the behavioural changes of their family members.
“Ensuring that residents adhere to the regulations is not something we take lightly,” Buyeye said. “Since the COVID-19 outbreak we have been doing similar programmes at retail stores and bank ATMs.
“Post offices have since become a focus area. This programme will continue with more intensity during the grant payment dates.”
Principal environmental health practitioner in the metro, Thembi Blayi, said that they had noticed the new long queues at the post offices and thought it best to enhance community campaigns and urge residents to take the non-pharmaceutical interventions seriously.
“This is especially important as there is not yet a cure or vaccine for COVID-19. This means that these preventative measures are our best options so far,” Blayi said.
“We are trying to educate as many people as possible and want to ensure that communities are mobilised to adhere to these measures.
“Health education is very critical because if people are educated and they change their behaviour and attitude, we will be able to flatten the curve. Although the post offices were the initial concern, the Home Affairs offices also face similar challenges.”
Blayi mentioned that the officials educated hundreds of residents at post offices in the central business district (CBD) in North End and Schauderville. They also targeted the Home Affairs office in North End.
During the programme they ensured that residents wore their masks correctly, sanitised their hands and maintained social distancing.
Public education was also conducted using a loud hailer to spread the message to many residents. The programme will now be run across the metro on a weekly basis.
Motherwell resident, Monwabisi Krwaza, said this is a great way to educate the public.
“My main concern is my own area because the numbers are increasing daily. We would like each government department to take responsibility and have people in the queues to monitor us in Motherwell and to ensure that the preventative measures are being adhered to. We need personal protective equipment and if masks can be handed out during these outreaches, we would really appreciate that.”
