Maskless in Newcastle: Employees suspended
Fifteen municipal workers in Newcastle have been suspended after they were caught without their masks on at work.
It follows the death of an employee at the municipality, who succumbed to Covid-19 last week.
Another five workers are in quarantine after they tested positive for the virus.
Officials at Newcastle say the suspended workers have been given 48 hours to justify their behaviour or face disciplinary processes.
They say the suspended employees were inconsiderate of the health of others, especially in light of the recent infections at the municipality.
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The City says its workers are expected to be exemplary and exercise extra-ordinary precautions.
It says the municipal offices serve a multitude of residents in Newcastle, including the elderly and those with co-morbidities, who are at greater risk of succumbing to the coronavirus.
The number of COVID-19 cases in the country has been climbing, edging South Africa closer to a possible third wave.
Phase 2 of the vaccine rollout only got under way last week, targeting over 60s.
According to the Health Department, over 162 thousand senior citizens had received the jab by Friday evening.
