The City has sanctioned the reopening of Pikitup’s Norwood depot following a two-week closure, as part of ongoing risk management efforts to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The depot, in north-eastern Joburg, has been disinfected and is ready to resume operations after two employees were placed in self-quarantine, says Mpho Moerane, the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services.
“We finally received the results of all tests conducted on our employees at the Norwood depot after its closure. Pikitup is making an official reopening of the depot today,” Moerane adds.
The Norwood depot was temporarily closed two weeks ago as a precautionary measure after a regular Covid-19 screening procedure revealed that the two officials had symptoms related to the virus, forcing operations to grind to a half.
Depot employees were also placed in self-quarantine for the same period.
The test results for both employees, stationed at Pikitup’s Norwood depot have returned and all employees have been cleared to return to work.
Pikitup’s Health and Wellness department continues to assess all employees on duty and where Covid-19 symptoms are observed, such employees will be subjected to testing.
“I value the health and safety of employees and call on all Pikitup staff to diligently follow the Covid-19 guidelines," the MMC emphasises.
These include washing hands with soap and water or sanitising their hands regularly, constantly wearing the provided face masks and practising social distancing at all times.
Moerane says Pikitup is an essential service provider, hence work must continue.
“I am grateful and appreciate the hard work that employees have been doing since the start of the lockdown,” he says.
