Travellers heading to Limpopo on the N1 will be tested for Covid-19

26 March 2020 - 13:33 By Naledi Shange
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now
Travellers heading towards Limpopo ahead of the coronavirus lockdown can expect to be tested on the N1, says the health department.
Travellers heading towards Limpopo ahead of the coronavirus lockdown can expect to be tested on the N1, says the health department.
Image: File / Masi Losi

As scores of people left the towns in which they work and headed home on Thursday ahead of the 21-day coronavirus lockdown, the Limpopo health department said it was testing people entering the province.

The office of health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba said she would be joining other health officials at screenings. 

“The president has declared a national state of disaster due to the coronavirus pandemic which was followed by the pronouncement of the 21-day national lockdown. As such, a number of people have taken an opportunity to use the last day before commencement of the lockdown to travel to Limpopo to be with their families,” said Ramathuba’s spokesperson, Thilivhali Muavha.

“Despite the call by the MEC to discourage people from coming back to Limpopo, people still opted to travel back to the province. As a way of curbing the spread of Covid-19, the MEC resorted in putting up a screening and testing station on the N1 at Mantsole weighbridge traffic centre, where all people who are travelling to the province will be diverted for screening and testing,” Muavha said.

Ramathuba was expected to use the opportunity to educate travellers on how to avoid spreading the virus and self-isolate, and advise them on lockdown rules.

The lockdown is from midnight on Thursday to April 16.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now