COVID-19 News

As South Africa officially entered the second wave of Covid-19, we have seen signs of a resurgence of coronavirus infections in various parts of the country.

We remain committed to your health and safety, and to prevent any serious outbreak from occurring in one of our buildings, we encourage all tenants to continue practicing social distancing (at least 1.5m) and good hygiene, and above all to remain calm, even where confirmed cases may occur in any buildings. IT IS EVERY PERSON’S RESPONSIBILITY to take the necessary PRECAUTIONS to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 in our country.

We also wish to remind you of compulsory measures introduced to prevent and detect anybody that may be infected with the COVID-19 virus, as well as some other useful information.

  • FACE MASKS: All tenants are required to properly wear a face mask (covering both nose and mouth) whenever leaving their unit and before entering the building again. You are reminded to wear your face mask while making use of all common places in the building, including lifts and laundry area.
  • SCREENING: All persons entering the building (tenants & service providers) are required to go through a screening process (temperature testing and health status declaration). The process involves security scanning your forehead with a thermometer to take your temperature, as well as a simple health declaration which seeks to identify whether anyone is experiencing any of the common symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath etc. If your temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius, we will insist that you remain in your unit where after a further temperature check will be done after 30 – 60 minutes. Should it still exceed 38 degrees Celsius, you will be requested to remain in your unit and follow recommended covid-19 guidelines. For the sake of everyone’s health, we request maximum co-operation and patience during this process.
  • TESTING: Individuals wanting to be screened or tested for COVID-19 should not go to a hospital or emergency department. Emergency departments are specialised facilities that are equipped to provide urgent life-saving care to patients with traumatic injuries or medical emergencies. Over 80% of people with COVID-19 will have minor to moderate symptoms and there is no reason for them to be seen in an emergency department. Going to a hospital if you suspect COVID-19 places the hospital community or others at unnecessary risk. What is important is that you practice SOCIAL DISTANCING and SELF-QUARANTINE in your apartment, so you do not spread the infection to others.
  • WHAT TO DO: Phone your primary healthcare provider if you meet the case definitions for COVID-19 and suspect you may have COVID-19. Do not go to the GPs rooms without phoning in advance. ALSO ADVISE YOUR BUILDING MANAGER FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
  • SELF QUARANTINE IN YOUR APARTMENT FOR SUSPECTED OR CONFIRMED COVID-19: It is crucial that you do not have contact with other people while waiting for results, so that there is no risk that you could pass on the infection.
  • BEST PRACTICES TO FOLLOW IF YOU SUSPECT OR HAVE CONFIRMED THAT YOU ARE INFECTED:
  • Do not leave your apartment to go to any public places. If you need to go outside, do so on your own, not with other people.
  • If you live with other people, avoid, or keep contact to a minimum.
  • Discourage any visitors to your home.
  • If you have a cough, wear a mask.
  • Clean your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If you must share a bathroom with others, exercise clean hygiene, avoid touching surfaces and use a disinfectant each time you have touched door handles, taps etc.
  • Keep the towels you use separately, do not share towels with other people.
  • Ask for essential goods or medicines you may need to be delivered while in quarantine.
  • Maintain good home hygiene and clean any surfaces you may have touched often and thoroughly with a bleach- based disinfectant.
  • Do not eat with other people in your apartment. If possible, use disposable crockery and utensils, and dispose of these in a separate rubbish bag. If you use normal crockery and utensils, you yourself should wash the items you have used immediately in hot water and dishwashing liquid, separately for those used by other people in your home. Keep the crockery and utensils you use separately from that used by others in the apartment.
  • Wash your clothing separately from that of others.
  • If your symptoms worsen, phone the doctor who tested you for guidance, or the hospital’s emergency department where you were initially screened.
  • If your symptoms worsen to the point that you believe you are facing a medical emergency, contact an emergency medical services provider and make them aware that you have been tested for COVID-19 or a confirmed COVID-19 patient.

It is reported that over 80% of people infected with COVID-19 have little or mild symptoms and do not need to be admitted to hospital but will be able to recover at home, in self-quarantine, for 10 days. Only persons whose condition is such that they require in-hospital care need to be admitted.

Remember, staying at home is the best way to stop the spread of the virus and reduces the risk of infections.  Always follow the recommended guidelines of keeping safe social distances and wearing a mask whenever you leave your apartment, regularly washing your hands with soap and water and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Visit  www.gov.za/coronavirus/guidelines for more information on what you can and cannot do.

Should you need any more information, please contact us on customerservices@afhco.co.za , 086 11 23426 or WhatsApp 072 711 5410.