In December 2019, a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed as the causative agent of what we now know as ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ (COVID-19). Since then, the World has been trying to prevent or decrease the number of people who are infected with this deadly disease.
On the 27th March 2020, the South African President, Hon. Cyril Ramaphosa locked down South African in means of trying to decrease the spread of this virus and since then we have seen South Africans adhering to the Lockdown regulations and making sure that hygiene is their first priority.
Citizens are not the only ones adhering to these regulations, but supermarkets too. Looking at all the super markets in KAE (Kaalfontein, Allandale, Ebony Park) the employees are working hard to ensure that the stores are safe for them and the customers during these trying times.
All four (Boxer, Shoprite, Pick’n’ Pay, Spar) major supermarkets are equipped with hand sanitizers whereby customers are sanitized when they go into the supermarket before shopping. We were also advised by specialists and the government to keep a distance of 1m between each other. This also helps decrease the spread of the virus, and our supermarkets have made it easier for us as customers to keep this distance when queuing to either pay or enter the shop, they have done this through floor tapes or marks.
Upon visiting these supermarkets you will notice that all employees are also wearing face masks which also combats the spread of this virus and all customers are advised to wear these masks when leaving their homes for essential purposes.
Spar and Pick n Pay have also taken further steps to put dividing glasses between the customers and the cashier. This is not to isolate or divide them but to help avoid or decrease the amount of physical interaction. Pick ‘n’ Pay went a step further and added shield masks to their protective gear.
We applaud all these supermarkets for adhering to the Lockdown rules and making sure that both customers and employees are safe during this time. It is now in our hands to keep on doing what we were advised to do and keep safe indoors unless you have an essential reason.
All essential workers are working hard to ensure that our country is safe. Play your part and if you need more information, you can visit the data free website to learn more about this pandemic. https://sacoronavirus.co.za/
Contribution by Nomvula Karen Simelane
