Call to lock down over weekends

A CHATSWORTH organisation is appealing to all communities to practise stricter voluntary lockdown rules over weekends in a bid to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

In a Whatsapp message that went viral, members of the Kharwastan Civic Association said a voluntary lockdown for the next few weekends would “assist in some way to reduce the number of people being infected by Covid-19.

“It is true not all of us can do this, but let us all try. Do all shopping up to Friday and start the lockdown from Friday night 8pm until Monday morning. We can do it. Let us save our nation.”

The message reached community groups in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Sathie Moodley, chairperson of the association, said their call was to limit movement at weekends.

“If everyone voluntarily observes lockdown level 5 we can make a difference. The virus is reaching its peak and on a daily basis we hear of the rising number of those people infected and the hundreds dying.

“If we all limit our movements and shop only when necessary it would make a difference,” said Moodley.

He said it was business as usual in the area with people walking the streets, going shopping and socialising.

“The onus is on all of us.

People shouldn’t be going to shops unnecessarily. People who are not working or going to school should stay home. I know we can’t compel people, but it’s our plea for everyone’s safety.

“There are a number of people who are not wearing masks or observing social distancing. I have seen schoolchildren from a nearby high school walking in groups with no masks on.

“I did approach the children once but they just ignored me,” he said.

Moodley said weekend lockdowns were working in some parts of India.