eThekwini implements intensified lockdown measures as COVID-19 cases mount

"This is a health emergency, and we are in a disaster. We are not business as usual. It is a mantra that we must recite every morning," he said. 

An intensified lockdown focused in eThekwini will be implemented on Monday - after he said the district was the epicentre of the coronavirus in KZN. 

Currently, the province has 617 cases and has recorded 22 COVID-19 related deaths. In total - 54 people have died in the country. 

READ: eThekwini declared COVID-19 epicentre in KZN, SA death toll rises

Zikalala said the provincial government has come up with a strategy to fight the spread of the virus. 

"We are going to embark on a very intense screening campaign, removal of infectious sources, to specify isolation sites, set up testing and screening booths in areas of major movements - malls, transport routes and taxi ranks."

"We are going to ensure adjustments and intensification of community containment intervention. An informal sanitisation programme which we are starting right from Tuesday." 

He said all law enforcement agencies are on board to ensure motorists also comply with the Disaster Management Act during this time. 

"Roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints, movement checks of people even at high commuter areas. This thing of going around and thinking you will not be searched or asked is now coming to an end, and we will want to enforce."

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