Bulawayo mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni has expressed worry that residents are still not adhering to social distancing regulations.
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home.
To practice social or physical distancing, one must stay at least six feet (two metres) from the next person, and avoid mass gatherings.
“It is saddening to note that the issue of social distancing or physical distancing is still not being adhered to particularly in public spaces. I urge us all to please make sure that we leave a distance of two metres from the next person. Let us protect each other,” Cllr Mguni said while addressing people at a donation held at Thorngrove Infectious Diseases Hospital.
The mayor’s sentiments come in the wake of long-winding queues that have resurfaced in the Central Business District.
Residents have been seen buying vegetables at the market place while others had formed queues outside banks, wanting to withdraw money.
The mayor also implored those businesses that are open during the stipulated time to stick to prevention guidelines and reduce risk as much as possible.
“Continue to make sure that we do not expose people to the virus. While hand sanitisers and washing of hands is encouraged, may we also make sure that we discourage unnecessary loitering,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo City Council spokesperson, Nesisa Moyo advised residents that if they felt unwell, they must not go straight to Thorngrove hospital but first call the local authority’s call centre for further help.
“The officials at the call centre will ask you certain questions and by so doing, eliminate some factors. If you are unwell, you will be visited by the rapid response teams who will check how you are you feeling. The rapid response teams will ask about your travel history and deduce how much risk you are in.
“If the rapid response teams need to do tests, they will do so and if your results are positive, the rapid response team will come to your assistance. So don’t say I’m going to Thorngrove where you use public transport because there is risk of spreading the disease. Lastly we urge people to stay at home because, the disease does not travel but people travel, By keeping our distance and staying at home, we can slow the spread,” she said.
