The Minerals Council South Africa urges all employees and communities to be mindful that Covid-19 is still prevalent, especially over the Easter weekend and other holidays in April, as many travel to visit friends and family and otherwise interact socially.

Minerals Council health head Dr Thuthula Balfour says Covid-19 “will not take a break over Easter”, and that, as far as possible, everyone must continue to follow Covid-19 guidelines, stay at home and avoid group gatherings to reduce the spread of the virus during this time.

She points out that, following the 2020 festive period, the impact of the second wave of infections was “devastating” – the results of which meant that many South Africans lost their lives or suffered the loss of someone dear to them.

The impact was also felt in the mining sector. During the whole of 2020, 213 employees succumbed to Covid-19, but a further 162 deaths have been recorded in the industry for the three months from January 1 to March 30.

The Minerals Council cautions that, although the current infection levels indicate South Africa’s Covid-19 positive cases are declining, signs of a potential third wave are emerging in some provinces.

“Experts are saying that the third wave could be even more deadly than the second, which is expected to start as we approach an extended period of public holidays, starting with the Easter weekend and heading towards the colder months of winter,” the council states.

Balfour notes that, as Covid-19 prevails, there are prevention measures that can be taken and which everyone can implement during the approaching festive season. These include staying at home as far as possible and avoiding social gatherings and crowds.

“Remember that religious or other gatherings where more than 250 people are expected are illegal,” she notes.

The council also advises people to keep a physical distance of 1.5 m, to wear masks and wash or sanitise their hands and to ensure good ventilation in vehicles when traveling.

Nonetheless, she adds that while Covid-19 is set to persist into the immediate future, there will come a time when lower infection levels and vaccinations will mean that people are able to achieve a level of herd immunity.

Once such a scenario is achieved, Balfour says people will be able to travel and gather with family and friends within an environment of lower risk.

However, she warns that that time has not yet come. “For now, we must act selflessly and do all we can to protect lives and livelihoods,” concludes Balfour.