THE Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has closed all municipal libraries, museums, art centres and beaches, effective immediately due to the Coronavirus.
This decision was made after a NMBM Disaster Management Advisory Forum for Covid-19 was established last week.
The forum will serve to coordinate the local response to the virus in line with legislation guiding the declaration of a national disaster.
The municipality’s director of disaster management, Shane Brown, said that civil society organisations and an internal municipal structure – established to ensure the continuation of service delivery – would serve on the structure.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality acting city manager, Noxolo Nqwazi, said that they were aligning themselves with the directive of the president and premier in terms of the Disaster Management Act.
“In addition, all arts and culture and sport and recreation festivals have been cancelled,” Nqwazi said.
Municipal spokesperson, Kupido Baron, added that all beaches and public amenities were also closed as of three days ago (Sunday, March 22.)
According to Brown, the guidelines by The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, compels the municipality to close all beaches, braai areas, swimming pools and other public amenities.
During a recent media briefing, Bay interim mayor, Tshonono Buyeye, admitted that the metro needed help making certain decisions.
“There are some questions that cannot be answered immediately, especially when we think of a funeral, for example,” he explained.
“Gatherings of more than 100 people are prohibited, but how are we going to ensure that less than 100 people attend a funeral?
“The forum will be advising us on things like these.”
Regarding all events and festivals in the metro that had been cancelled, Buyeye said that the metro understood the economic impact.
“The economy can always recover, but we cannot put monetary funds above people’s lives,” he added.
“We have to adhere to what the president has said because it was a national message.”
More information on the virus can be found on www.sacoronavirus.co.za.
The national helpline is 0800 029 999. WhatsApp messages can also be sent to 060 012 3456.
