Cultural Affairs and Sport
With reference to availing public libraries in the Western Cape as COVID-19 vaccine registration sites:
(1) (a) How many individuals were assisted with their respective vaccine registrations, (b) what is the breakdown per region, (c) when did libraries first begin providing this service, (d) is it still ongoing, (e) which libraries provided registration assistance under level 4 and (f) what measures were put in place to assist those who are not computer literate;
(2) whether library staff or other officials were trained in order to assist with the provision of COVID-19 registration and vaccination information to residents; if so, (a) what are the relevant details, (b) who provided the training and (c) what support did the provincial Department of Health provide;
(3) whether her Department is collaborating with the provincial Department of Health on any other ongoing projects to address the COVID-19 pandemic; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1) (a) 15 154 were assisted with their respective vaccine registrations
(b) – (f) refer to Annexure A
(2) (a) – (c) refer to Annexure A
(3) Yes, the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport has an ongoing collaborative relationship with the Department of Health with regards to the Initiation Programme when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. Initiation practices was prohibited during the Disaster Management Act, Regulations level 5-4. During this period the Department of Health provided specialized support and advice with respect to the COVID-19 Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Adjusted Plan for the prevention of the spread of the pandemic and infection control training that was developed by the department. Advice and guidance from the Department of Health was incorporated in the systems implemented for the winter initiation period after the Provincial Cabinet announced the re-opening of initiation schools as from the 1 June 2021. During the winter season the cultural rite of passage was concluded with no adverse incidents.
