Mass screenings at Durban wholesaler over virus fears
Health officials are currently at a wholesale business on Dr Pixley Kaseme Street in the Durban CBD - conducting a mass screening of employees for the coronavirus.
Complaints were received about the conditions employees were working in.
It's also understood some of them are presenting symptoms of COVID-19.
The street outside the Xinhau Wholesale Centre is swarming with police, health workers and inspectors from the Economic Development Department.
The provincial Department of Economic Development says it received complaints that the business has been operating - despite the lockdown.
The health workers clad in blue protective gear - have been entering and exiting the building which is said to house about 100 workers.
They've been swabbing and screening those who were in the building since 8am this morning.
Economic Development spokesperson, Ndabezinhle Sibiya says they were told employees were working in unhygienic conditions.
"The department has handed over the complaint to law enforcement angencies. The complaint we received alleges that they are exposed to dangerous conditions."
Several minibuses used to transport patients were parked outside the building, ready to ferry people to medical facilities.
Sibiya says the building has been on lockdown since last night.
#Covid_19SA In Dr Pixley Kaseme Street today in #Durban where a mass screening is taking place at a building whose occupants are allegedly showing symptoms of #CoronaVirusSA The KZN Economic Dev Dep also received complaints about the conditions the employees are working in. pic.twitter.com/dd81TFDEFD
— Nushera Raisa Soodyal (@nushera) April 1, 2020
#Covid_19SA The building(China Mall) in the CBD has been on lockdown since last night. Dozens of health officials can be seen entering. We understand some 100 employees are being swabbed and tested here. There’s also a bus that is used to transport patients @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/X4A9ZyqVGK
— Nushera Raisa Soodyal (@nushera) April 1, 2020
