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City’s State of Readiness and Level of Compliance on Covid-19 Regulations

By Super User 545

With the worldwide outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that threatens our day-to-day life, it is imperative that we protect employees, our communities and ourselves. 

By adhering to the gazetted Covid-19 regulations and complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1993 (OHSA) we can flatten the curve and limit exposure and the risk of contracting or spreading of the disease.  The City is committed to provide and maintain as far as reasonably possible a safe environment that is risk free to the health of our employees, communities and all our stakeholders.

Licencing Centres now open

Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure Jacob Mamabolo has also expressed his satisfaction with measures put in place to protect employees and clients against possible exposure to Covid-19 and other health risks.  He further commended municipalities for the instrumental role that they played in working with the department by reopening licensing facilities. 

In compliance with the Government Gazette 43257 Notice 479, of 29 April 2020 inspectors from the Gauteng Provincial Roads and Transport Department visited all Ekurhuleni licencing centres during the week of 01 – 04 June 2020 and conducted compliance inspections. 

This requirement as per Covid-19 regulations was to access and ensure the level of readiness for the re-opening of the following services to the public:

  • Vehicle registration and licensing;
  • New driver license applications;
  • Driver license renewals;
  • Testing of learner drivers; and
  • Vehicle testing centres.

The green light was given to all centres for re-opening on Monday, 8 June 2020.

Walk-ins at Driving Licence Testing Centres (DLTC) will NOT be allowed – ONLY senior citizens (over 60 years of age) will be allowed as walk-ins.  The public are encouraged to book online on www.online.natis.gov.za. In the case you have booked your space online before the lockdown, meaning you finalised the online process, you will be called and given a new date.

All vehicles and driver’s licences, which expired during lockdown until 31 May 2020, are valid and have been extended by 90 days up to 31 August 2020, as per the gazetted
Covid-19 regulations.

Motorists can check the status of their drivers licence application at the centre where they applied, between 08h00 and 15h00 (Monday to Friday) or 8h00 – 10h30 (Saturdays). Alternatively, check the status of your driving licence card by sending your ID number via SMS to 33214.

Precautions implemented at facilities:

  • Social distancing with markings done for queues.
  • No walk in bookings except senior citizens.
  • Staff to wear masks at all times.
  • Examiners to wear a mask and face shield.
  • No members of the public will be allowed without a mask.
  • Temperature will be taken.
  • Visitors will be sanitised upon entering the facility and employees after each transaction.
  • Eye test equipment to be sanitised after each applicant.

Bus service back on the road

The City’s bus service has been back on the road since 11 May.  As per regulations ensure you have your mask on at all times – No mask – No Ride. 

Commuters are reminded to adhere to the one-metre social distancing while waiting in the queue and inside the bus.

Hitekani Mashele, Team Leader Administrator from the Brakpan Bus Company said, “With teamwork and community collaboration, we can beat the virus.” 

Only some trips are operational based on ridership demands and will be adjusted on a weekly basis.  Buses operate from 05h00 – 19h00 during the week.

All regulations have been implemented however challenges have been the scarcity and high price of materials, especially sanitizers.  Commuters are required to sanitise their hands before boarding.  According to Mashele they are facing a challenge with commuters not understanding and respecting social distancing as and when they board the bus.

Currently, only 39 passengers are carried with each trip.  No standing is allowed in the buses and no seating on marked off spaces.  This is less than 50% capacity on our buses as per regulation.

state of readinessHarambee’s Passenger Safety Response

Sticker posters bearing messages “No Mask – No Ride” and “30 passengers only” is a new sight greeting Harambee passengers waiting to board the bus.  

The stickers are installed on bus windows and near doors to ensure that all passengers are aware of the new health and social distancing regulations for public transport before boarding the bus.

The posters are not the only measure that the City has put in place to ensure that passengers are educated on Covid-19. All Harambee buses have been fitted with seat covers, to mark social distancing for passengers to adhere to the new no-seating requirements, while bus floor stickers have been installed for standing passengers to adhere to social distancing guidelines inside the buses.

That’s not all, passengers waiting to board the bus or purchasing a travel fare at kiosks, must also adhere to social distancing measures. Since Harambee resumed operations on 6 May during level four of lockdown, it has ensured that passenger safety is not compromised and if there are any changes regarding the bus schedule, passengers will be informed prior to implementation.

During the third level of lockdown, Harambee buses are only permitted to carry 50% of their full capacity. For Harambee, it means buses can only transport 19 seated and 11 standing passengers.

Harambee is currently operating from Tembisa to Isando and Tembisa to the cargo terminal at OR Tambo International Airport. Our aim is to ensure that passengers are transported in safety and comfort. 

The City will be monitoring the passenger demand as the lockdown is continuing and will keep passengers updated on any changes to the timetable.

Job application available at the click of a button

The City’s online recruitment system streamlined the recruitment process and there is no need to visit our offices.  If not registered yet, why wait – register today on https://www.ekurhuleni.gov.za/residents/careers.html and create your profile to view all positions advertised in the City.

If you need assistance, contact the Call Centre on 0860 54 3000 (turnaround time is 48 hours during the week and 72 hours on weekends), or visit one of our walk in centres:

  • KemptonPark: Jane Molala (Room A314, Cnr CR Swart and Pretoria Rds.
  • Germiston: Matsobane Nkale (Ground Floor, August Simmer Building, 88 President Str)
  • Benoni: Friday Nkuna (3rd Floor, SASSA Building, 87 Elston Avenue)
  • Brakpan: Nhlanhla Mbonani (Room E154, Ground Floor, Cnr Escombe and Elliot Ave)

Job interviews during lockdown

As an alternative to face-to-face interviews, the City will consider offering an online interview option to candidates through digital methods such as Microsoft teams, Zoom, Skype and others.

Online interviews are increasingly effective and productive tools that allow people to be interviewed from anywhere. Utilising technology has one enormous benefit, the ability to stay connected to others without physical interaction. If this option is not possible, a suitable big enough venue will be arranged to ensure social distancing as regulated and equipped with microphones that can be utilized, rather than smaller venues.

View and pay your account online

Avoid long queues and pay your account now online.  Register now to pay and view your account on: https://siyakhokha.ekurhuleni.gov.za/Account/Register

Support on available payment to the following platforms:

Email: Siyakhokha@ekurhuleni.gov.za – Send your proof of payment or for reconnection

WhatsApp your proof of payment with your address and account number to
063 306 3152

Contact us for support:

  • Siyakhokha Call Centre on 011 999 5102
  • Monday to Friday from 09:00 – 17:00
  • Saturdays and Sundays from 08:00 – 13:00

Be safe when visiting health care facilities

Visitors to the clinics in the City will be expected to be sanitised and screened when entering the premises.  Be sure to mask up when entering the clinic.  The City urges all visiting our public clinics to adhere to social distancing protocols and other measures taken during this trying times.

Exercising at our sporting facilities or parks

According to regulations the public are now able to exercise requirements between
06h00 and 18h00.  It is essential to wear a mask at all times when using the facilities and to comply with social distancing regulations and not exercise in groups.

Cemeteries

Covid-19 regulations stipulate that that only 50 people can attend a funeral and night vigils are prohibited.

Cemeteries are open Monday to Sunday from 08h00 – 17h00 if you want to visit a loved one’s gravesite. 

Safety and precautionary measures taken by the City

The City has implemented the following Covid-19 precautions in and attempt to curb spreading of the virus.

  • Sanitising of all buildings and facilities.
  • Completion of provided register when entering our buildings for tracking purposes.
  • Social distancing by at least two metres.
  • Compulsory wearing of a face mask or shield at all times.
  • No entry without a mask or shield into our buildings from 1 May 2020.

The City would like to express gratitude to our employees, communities and other visitors for their understanding and co-operation during this trying time in an attempt to beat the