Covid necessitates municipal meetings to go electronic
All George municipal meetings, including council and committees of council, will for the foreseeable future be held using electronic platforms.
This was confirmed by Trevor Botha, the municipal manager.
The new budget and an adjustment budget were passed last week during a virtual meeting involving councillors and officials. Botha said the decision is based on the World Health Organisation’s warnings that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over and that faceto-face contact should be minimised. It is a precautionary and preventative measure in line with the current rapid escalation of infections reported locally and worldwide. “In an ongoing commitment to safeguard municipal staff and the public, the municipality calls on staff, councillors and stakeholders to use electronic means to communicate, consult and conduct meetings,” Botha said.
“We reiterate our urgent appeal to all people to take all the necessary precautions to stop the spread of the virus - at work, at home and everywhere else.
“Please be consciously aware of the impact your actions may have on the people around you, and act responsibly at all times. Always wear a mask when you go out, practise social distancing, wash your hands regularly with soap for at least 20 seconds at a time and stay at home if you feel sick.”
Botha said council is continuously reviewing the Covid-19 status and will be amending its programme and the way it conducts meetings accordingly. The problem with unreliable internet connectivity is also being addressed.