Question NW616 to the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
20 May 2020 - NW616
Van Staden, Mr PA to ask the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
(1)What measures are being put in place to make the quarantine facilities, that she has earmarked for people with COVID-19 infections, fully compliant and ready to serve their purpose; (2) whether the quarantine facilities are equipped with (a) sufficient water, (b) electricity, (c) clean beds and bedding and (d) food; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) whether the necessary inspections have been conducted to confirm that the quarantine facilities meet the minimum requirements of a quarantine facility; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (4) (a) what is the total number of quarantine facilities earmarked for persons with Covid-19 infections and (b) where is each facility located; (5) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure
1. The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has informed me from the list of 39 facilities that the DPWI has made available from its immovable asset register; only two were approved as meeting the basic requirements set by the Department of Health.
Both facilities were repaired and refurbished. Beds and linen were procured. The Gauteng Provincial Department of Health in the process of activating the two sites so that they may begin to operate as quarantine sites.
All identified private facilities are made available to the Department of Health. These are assessed by the Department of Health, and if found to be suitable for use as quarantine or isolation sites, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure is informed to consider contracting with the owners. Therefore, the responsibility to ensure that the private sector facilities are compliant and ready to serve as quarantine or isolation sites lies with the Department of Health.
2. DPWI has two sites which were approved by Department of Health as suitable to serve as quarantine or isolation sites, and both will be equipped with (a) sufficient water (b) electricity (c) new beds and linen upon activation by the Department of Health. (d) However, the provision of food is the sole responsibility of the Department of Health.
3. Yes, the inspection was conducted for facilities that were identified and availed by DPWI across the country. DPWI was part of the assessment team. However, the inspection of private facilities was done by the team as directed in paragraph 4.1 of the guideline document for quarantine and isolation in relation to COVID-19. The composition of the facility assessment team does not include DPWI.
4. (a) The Department of Health decides which facilities will have COVID 19 infected patients. Thus has no obligation to reveal this information to the Department. The Department only provides facilities for use as quarantine facilities or isolation sites. It has no knowledge of whether the patients are positive or not.
5. No.