Johannesburg doctor arrested for breaking curfew after attending to an emergency
Dr Ivan Jardine, an ear, nose, and throat specialist from Edenvale in Johannesburg, was arrested on Friday night for breaking curfew as per COVID-19 regulations.
According to Dr Jardine, he received a call from a cousin that his aunt needed medical assistance. The doctor, who lives on the East Rand, travelled to Quellerina on the West Rand to offer his aunt medical assistance.
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On his way home after 9 pm, the doctor was then stopped by police in Eastgate, as he was travelling during curfew hours. The police demanded a permit, which would allow the doctor to be travelling outside of curfew. According to Dr Jardine, when stating that he was a doctor, the police did not believe him.
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After being arrested and interviewed by a detective, his bail was set at R2,000. Unfortunately, the doctor did not have that on hand, and a relative could only come and collect him at 5 am on Saturday.
Dr Jardine believes that doctors should not need a permit to attend to emergencies outside of the stipulated hours. He also adds that he was kept in a small cell with four other men, making it possible to contract the coronavirus.
What do you think, should doctors be expected to travel with permits wherever they go?