With the rapid rise in COVID-19 infections and the announcement of the Third Wave, the Western Cape Department of Health needs to act responsibly by reducing the amount of patient contact in our facilities. Please take note of the changes below:

• Elective surgery has been postponed until further notice.
• Emergency surgery will continue.
• Hospital outpatients' services will be limited to urgent reviews.
• Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Dietitian services will be limited.
• Dental and Eye services will be limited
• Primary Healthcare Services will focus on Child Health, Preventative and Chronic Services.

A joint crime prevention operation in Gansbaai, between the Overstrand Municipality's Law Enforcement K9 unit, Task Team and Core Security, led to the arrest of two suspects and abalone being confiscated on Thursday evening, 15 July 2021.

The members followed up on information received of a group of divers in the water behind Duikerfontein.

The suspects, aged 22 and 44 years old, were detained with the bags they were carrying.

A total of 589 abalone (205 shucked and 384 unshucked) were found in the bags.

The suspects and abalone were taken to Gansbaai SAPS for processing.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended South Africa’s level 4 lockdown for another 14 days, with restrictions remaining in place until 25 July 2021.

Therefore, all departments will work at a 50% staff capacity to reduce contact between people in order to slow down the spread of the virus. 

Certain staff may be working from home or on rotation basis, which means telephones cannot always be answered and certain services cannot be rendered in person (face-to-face).

In addition to the above preventative measures, many staff members are either recovering from Covid-19 or in self isolation. Overstrand Municipality, therefore, asks members of the public to be patient.

The Western Cape is bringing online more vaccination sites on a weekly basis. This is linked to the supply of vaccines, with deliveries expected on a weekly basis.

The Department of Health kindly asks that you wait for your second SMS before going to a site so that long queues can be prevented and ensure a Covid-19 safe process. If you do decide to go to a vaccination site without an appointment, they cannot guarantee that you will get a vaccine as those with appointments will be prioritised.

Herewith a list of vaccination sites within our area:

Hermanus Auditorium: 12,14,16 July 2021
Gansbaai Sports Hall: 14, 15 July 2021
Zwelihle Community Hall: -
Hermanus CDC: 13, 15 July 2021
Kleinmond Portea Hall: 13, 16 July 2021
Mt Pleasant Moffat Hall: 14 July 2021
Stanford Clinic: 15 July 2021
Hawston Thusong: 16 July 2021