Pikitup closes two depots for Covid-19 decontamination

The entity has 45 cases at it’s Roodepoort depot.

Spokesperson for the City’s Department of Environment and Infrastructure Services, Stan Itshegetseng, says an employee at the Roodepoort depot died of the virus over the week end.

"Following this incident, the Roodepoort depot was closed for 14 days and all employees were ordered to self-isolate," says Itshegetseng.

He added further tests were then conducted.

"During the closure, Pikitup continued with the mass screening and testing of employees who had direct contact with the infected employees. A further 15 cases were confirmed positive and by Wednesday, 1 July 2020, an additional 30 Covid-19 positive cases were confirmed," says Itshegetseng.

The roodepoort depot was supposed to have reopen for operations on Thursday, but a decision was taken to keep it closed for another two weeks.

Meanwhile, Itshegetseng says the Marlboro depot has also been closed following a positive case.

"The Pikitup board of directors through its chairperson is concerned about the rise in infections despite the measures that have been put in place by management.

The board encourages all employees to adhere to the health protocols as provided by the health team, to maintain social distancing, wear face masks at all times, wash hands with soap and water or alternatively use sanitisers," says Itshegetseng.

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