The Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture MEC Fezeka Bayeni urges communities to refrain from hosting Easter Sport Tournaments during the 21 days National Lockdown announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, to contain the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Easter weekend is a time where our entire country normally comes alive with different activities like church services, shows, sporting tournaments etc. Our province has a strong tradition of Easter sporting tournaments, these are amongst the biggest sporting activities in our communities in particular our rural communities. This year we face a different Easter weekend with the number of Covid-19 infections rising everyday, we are all urged to stay at home, maintain social distancing and wash our hands regularly.
MEC Bayeni urges sport promoters, sporting clubs, organisers, athletes and communities at large to observe the national lockdown and adhere to the regulations. We urge all of you to refrain from hosting and participating in Easter Sport Tournaments to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the Province.
Together with our national department we working on measures to support the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture sector on the negative economic impact that Covid-19 and the lockdown has had on hosting of events which are means of livelihoods to many in the sector. In this regard our national department has already announced a number of measures and as a province we will also make an announcement of our own interventions in due course.
ABOUT COVID-19
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which may cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recent Coronavirus disease is COVID-19.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death (WHO – World Health Organisation).
We wish you all a pleasant Easter and please stay at home, maintain social distancing and wash your hands regularly.
For media queries, contact:
Mr Andile Nduna
Cell: 071 411 4820
Email: Andile.Nduna@ecsrac.gov.za
