The Sozo Foundation Response to COVID-19
17 March 2020
South African COVID-19 Outbreak
The Sozo Foundation Trust (Sozo) is committed to the Health and Wellbeing of all our Staff (including Intern & Volunteers), Students and Learners. In recognition of the seriousness and ongoing concern regarding the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic and the recent confirmation of cases in South Africa and Cape Town; and the Presidents Declarations of a State of Disaster - Sozo has enacted its COVID-19 Risk Mitigation and Threat Management Plan. This plan is in alignment with our Occupational Health and Safety Practices and our commitment to ensure "…the containment of those diagnosed and, critically, trying to prevent the onset of community transmission." (National Institute for Communicable Diseases: http://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/covid-19)
Due to Sozo’s operational context, implementing our programmes in underserved and vulnerable communities, specifically targeting beneficiaries who carry increased risk due to compromised immune systems, limited access to quality sanitation, potable water, and who are subjected to an overburdened Primary Health Care System – we are compelled to take the necessary and required precautions.
At this point Sozo has not directly experienced any incidents that would be a cause for any changes to our programmes. We are, however, monitoring the situation closely and will reassess our decision on a regular basis. We will endeavour to keep our communication active and transparent in keeping you informed, should there be a need for contingency plans to be put in place.
As a precautionary measure we are:
- Orientating and Educating all our Staff, Beneficiaries and Stakeholders to the risks related to COVID-19 and the Hygiene and Sanitary practices required to mitigate the spread of the virus.
- Implementing comprehensive Hygiene and Sanitary Protocols at our Facilities and with all who enter or use our premises.
- Requesting that all Staff, Beneficiaries and Stakeholders (including Service Providers) Self-Isolate or Self-Quarantine for the minimum required periods should they:
- Present any Flu (Influenza) type symptoms;
- Present any COVID-19 symptoms;
- Have travelled out of the Republic of South Africa in the last 30 Days;
- Have had contact with someone who has travelled out of the Republic of South Africa in the last 30 Days;
- Have had contact with someone who has been medically confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 virus.
- Restricting access to visitors during this management period.
In alignment with the DOH & DSD Prevention Strategy we have suspended our After-School Education Programme from the 18th March 2020 until the 14th April 2020.
We therefore request your support if the aforementioned applies to you and appreciate your cooperation. We will keep you updated with relevant information regarding the progress of the pandemic and its effect on our operations and programmes.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us via email - lloyd@thesozofoundation.org.za
Many thanks from the Sozo Team.
Chief Safety Officer: Anton Cuyler - CEO
Deputy Safety Officer: Lloyd Williams - General Manager
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