NATIONAL NEWS - All South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) pay points will remain operational despite the declaration of Covid-19 as a national disaster.
That’s according to Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu who announced on Tuesday.
“Our efforts will be directed at ensuring that we protect the most vulnerable who will continue to require our services at this difficult time. While we do so, we must take all necessary precautionary measures to protect our staff and our clients, especially at access points to contain the spread of this contagious virus and to slow its spread,” said Zulu.
She said there was no doubt that the spread of Covid-19 will exacerbate the vulnerability of poor households and that it was likely to increase the demand for social services in the form of social grants, social relief of distress, food relief and psychosocial services for affected individuals and families.
She directed SASSA to explore various options to ensure that pay points, including the South African Post Office (SAPO), implement precautionary measures that will assist in minimising and mitigating the spread of the virus as these facilities become overcrowded during paydays.
“One of the proposals SASSA is currently considering is the staggering of payment dates to avoid gatherings of large numbers of people at South African Post Offices. This is in line with the disaster management plan regulations,” she said.
By late yesterday the Department of Health said 116 people in South Africa had tested positive for the novel, deadly virus.’
What’s more, to curb the spread of the disease that’s already claimed lives worldwide, Zulu said there will be a suspension of external visits to the child and youth care centres, drug rehabilitation and treatment centres, shelters and old age centres.
