Parliament, Wednesday, 25 March 2020 – The Chairperson of the Select Committee on Health and Social Services, Ms Maurencia Gillion, has praised government for its response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ms Gillion said the pronouncement on Monday by president Cyril Ramaphosa on the 21-day lockdown will curtail the spread of Covid-19. South Africa has 709 people who have tested positive for the virus to date.

However, Ms Gillion said with the escalation of Covid-19, the main concern is vulnerable communities and employees, such as farm workers, factory workers in the agricultural sector who are working without the required protection, and local government workers in waste removal.

Despite these concerns, the committee said it welcomes government’s efforts to ensure that old age pension and other grants will be paid, so that those who depend on these grants will not be affected.

Ms Gillion also said that the government’s response to Covid-19 should ensure that vulnerable and impoverished communities are protected, as people living in these areas find it difficult to self-isolate effectively.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES, MS MAURENCIA GILLION.

For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Ms Yoliswa Landu
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8203
Cell: 081 497 4694
E-mail: ylandu@parliament.gov.za