We support the Premier’s call for the Western Cape to move to Alert Level 1 without delay. As we move out of the third wave, we must recognise that our health platform has not been overwhelmed and outstanding progress continues to be made in the vaccination drive. To this end, the Western Cape continues to lead with holding the most vaccination sites across provinces in South Africa.
MPP Wendy Philander says: “Vaccines are our best defence against Covid-19 and offer the clearest path to a more sustainable, safe world for us all. We need to remember that the main purpose of lockdowns, and an accompanying State of Disaster, are to prepare health platforms for a surge in demand. We have experienced these surges, and with each successive wave, the Western Cape remains on track in its efforts to contain the spread and increase the vaccine rollout. We no longer need National Government to use the State of Disaster to issue blanket regulations across the country, especially when our province is well-equipped to manage the pandemic.
At the same time, it’s vital that we monitor progress against vaccine targets. The Premier has indicated that by December, the province aims to have fully vaccinated 70% of residents 50 years and older, and provide at least a single dose to 70% of residents between 18-49 years old. I will therefore be submitting questions to the Provincial Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, on the progress made thus far and any further plans to reach our targets. If we can do this, the Western Cape will be well on track to a much more open, safely active economy.
Meanwhile, we welcome and support the hard work of the Health Department and healthcare professionals from both the private and public sectors. This has led to weekend vaccinations in dedicated areas, mobile pop-up vaccination sites in targeted areas, and partnerships with other state entities and private organisations, such as SASSA and Boxer Stores, for further outreach.”
