Zwelitsha office closed over Covid-19

A traffic officer at the Zwelitsha provincial traffic department has tested positive for Covid-19, resulting in 24 of his colleagues being sent home to self-quarantine and the office being closed to the public.

Traffic officers earlier called the Dispatch on Monday morning to say their station had not been closed despite one of them testing positive.

“We are reporting this to the media as we are concerned about this situation and how it is going to affect our health. We care about our colleagues and families, and we cannot allow this.

“The department should act and close the station,” an officer, who asked not to be named, said.

Another officer said they were worried because their colleague had been in contact with others in the department across the province.

“It may be that our member got infected while doing his duties on our national and regional roads. We are calling for this station to be deep-cleaned and closed.”

Transport spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie said the department was informed on Sunday that a traffic officer at Zwelitsha had tested positive to Covid-19.

“The officer went on leave at the end of May and was not at work when symptoms started showing. The department has, however, deemed it necessary to release about 24 officers who might have been exposed to the colleague to self-isolate at home,” Rantjie said.

She said the station had been closed as the department was following the protocols.

The transport department was also engaging the health department on testing those who had come into contact with the officer, she said.

“We wish our officer well as he recuperates at home. The department appreciates the work the traffic law-enforcement officers are doing in assisting the country to manage the spread of coronavirus.”

Traffic officers from the Amathole district and Buffalo City Metro were tested in May, according to Rantjie.