Nine workers from Checkers at the Bayside Mall, who tested positive for Covid-19, have made shocking allegations about their ordeal since finding out their results.
The employees, whose identities cannot be revealed, say they were sent home to self-isolate after testing positive for the Coronavirus, with one manager sending them a pamphlet via WhatsApp on how to beat the illness.
But it turns out the pamphlet has been circulating on social media, wherein the virus is erroneously referred to as the “coronary virus”.
“That is a picture that has been trending on WhatsApp which he sent us and he wished us good luck,” one upset employee says.
The workers are home with their families and claim no tracing was done to find people they may have infected.
Many say they cannot self-isolate as they live in small houses.
‘STEPS’: Leaflet sent via WhatsApp
“There has been no support for us from Checkers and the Department of Health. People say we will infect them. We have nowhere to go,” the employees say.
One female worker stays with her boyfriend in a room and says he has not been tested either: “He was told to go to the hospital if he shows any signs.”
Checkers Bayside Mall was closed for one day on 14 April after a confirmed case was reported.
Bianca Capazorio, spokesperson for Premier Alan Winde says: “We are unable to comment on the specifics of any cases however, in every case where a person tests positive, the contact tracing team will make contact in order to establish all of the people the patient has been in close contact with.
“During this process, there is also a conversation about whether the positive person is able to self-isolate. If not, the patient will be moved to a facility where they can isolate.
“In the Bayside Mall case, Department officials followed all the standard procedures for contact tracing, isolation, quarantine and screening/testing.”
Western Cape Government Health spokesman Mark van der Heever said: “The contact team will follow up with them and assist if need be.”