Spokesperson for the Department, Hillary Mophethe, says the implementation of Covid-19 alert level 3 regulations across all workplaces in the country has had a negative impact on the effective rendering of services.

The department had to develop measures which would ensure the workplace meets the standards of health protocols, and that there is adequate working space for employees and social distancing for members of the public, Mophete adds.

The Department is further required to implement measures for employees over the age of 60 and those with co-morbidities.

In compliance with Covid-19 alert level 3 regulations, the Department has adjusted the working hours at its testing stations as follows:

Fezile Dabi District

The following offices will open from 7:30 and close at 15:00 daily:

• Parys Testing Station

• Heilbron Testing Station.

• Sasolburg Testing Station.

The remaining stations at this district will open from 7:30 and close at 12:00.

Lejweleputswa District

The following offices will open from 7:30 and close at 15:00 daily:

• Welkom Testing Station

• Bultfontein Testing Station.

• Odendaalsrus Testing Station

• Brandfort Testing Station.

• Wesselsbron Testing Station.

The remaining stations at this district will open from 7:30 and close at 12:00.

Xhariep District

All testing stations at this district will open from 7:30 and close at 15:00 daily.

Motheo District

All Testing Stations at this district will open from 7:30 and close at 12:00 except Lengau testing station in Bloemfontein which will open from 7:30 and close at 15:00.

Thabo Mofutsanyane District 

The following offices will open from 7:30 and close at 15:00 on testing days:

• Bethlehem Testing Station.

• Marquard Testing Station.

• Reitz Testing Station.

• Vrede Testing Station.

The remaining stations at this district will open from 7:30 and close at 12:00.

“To ensure further compliance with Covid-19 alert level 3 regulations, the Department has closed some of its offices due to staff members being on comorbidity special leave”, says Mophethe in a statement. The following offices are affected:

Thabo Mofutsanyane District

Harrismith Testing Station

Kestell Testing Station

Motheo District

Wepener Testing Station

Fezile Dabi District

Villiers Testing Station

The Department has also closed the Viljoenskroon Testing Station due to staff members with comorbidities and will be reopening on Eight February 2021. The DPRT would like to urge members of the public to adhere to all Covid-19 regulations when they visit their offices.

OFM News/Blaine Jones