The training and induction of the 490 Expanded Public Works employees to help drive COVID-19 education and awareness initiatives commenced yesterday, 15 June 2020, throughout the City.
The City of Cape Town will deploy 490 Expanded Public Works Programme workers to support the efforts of Environmental Health Practitioners – particularly in the identified hotspot areas within the metropole.
Extra resources have been made available by the National Department of Public Works for a three-month period. The Department will also be responsible for the provision of Personal Protective Equipment.
The City’s efforts are supported by education and awareness outreach work from the Environmental Health Services.
Some of the challenges identified in communities include:
- A lack of adherence to health and hygiene protocols and social distancing
- A lack of awareness about COVID-19
- Lack of interest from some communities in the health awareness initiatives
- Inability to access certain areas because of unrest/volatility
‘The deployment of EPWP workers as part of our Whole-of-Government approach again shows the commitment from the City of Cape Town to work with National Government to slow the spread and protect vulnerable groups of people who are at high risk’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Management, Alderman Grant Twigg.
Alderman Twigg conducted visits at the training and induction workshops held in the Du Noon, Delft and Khayelitsha areas.