This is according to the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. 

The department briefed a joined sitting of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committees of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces during a virtual meeting about its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

A total of 2 125 people, who were placed under the mandatory 14 days quarantine, were placed in 14 different privately owned hotels that were rented by the government across the country. Officials had to field questions about the high cost of using private facilities for the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

Officials explained to MPs and committee members that using public facilities as quarantine sites were challenging. In many cases necessary repairs and renovations that needed to be done to government-owned buildings were costly and the procurement of beds and linen was a lengthy process. Damage to unguarded assets and theft of equipment was also a concern. To top it all – it meant that the department also had to make separate provisions for catering services. The department, however, acknowledged that turning privately owned places into a quarantine site meant they had to rent out an entire hotel – even if only a couple of the rooms would be occupied.

Acting Director-General of Real Estate Management Services, Morris Mabinja, told committee members that by 30 April 2020, the department identified 1 407 quarantine facilities across the country, which had 108 820 beds available for patients. After an assessment, it found that only 318 facilities were compliant with the health and safety regulations relating to Covid-19, and only 24 101 beds were available.

•In the Free State 57 facilities were identified, allowing for 3 617 beds. After assessment, 17 of these sites were compliant, and 1 333 beds were available. After compliance was confirmed, five quarantine facilities were activated. There are 57 people currently in quarantine in the Free State.

•In the Northern Cape 131 facilities were identified, allowing for 5 731 beds. After assessment, 23 of these sites were compliant and 1 249 beds were available. After compliance was confirmed, nine quarantine facilities were activated. There are 41 people currently in quarantine in the Northern Cape.

•In North West 81 facilities were identified, allowing for 6 596 beds. After assessment, 12 of these sites were compliant, and 499 beds were available. After compliance was confirmed, six quarantine facilities were activated. There are 51 people currently in quarantine in North West.

OFM News