Author: Debra Sauer

MASKS NO LONGER COMPULSORY ON GO GEORGE BUSES

Issued 27 June 2022

Following the repeal of all Covid regulations by Government, GO GEORGE has announced that mask-wearing is no longer compulsory on-board buses for either passengers or bus drivers, but that anyone is still welcome to wear a mask if preferred.

Hand sanitiser on board busses and at the GO GEORGE kiosks will still be available in the short term but will also be phased out. However, sanitising of buses will still continue until further notice.

James Robb, GO GEORGE Manager, thanked passengers and staff for their vigilance and cooperation during the pandemic and strict regulations imposed to protect the public from Covid infection. “Losing loved ones, working under strenuous, dangerous and very abnormal circumstances, this was a life-changing and extremely difficult time for all of us – from passengers to staff to management, and looking back, we applaud every single person who made the mind shift and every staff member and role-player in the operations of the bus service who walked the extra mile.”

Robb said all signage and messaging containing reference to Covid regulations at facilities and on the buses will be replaced in due course. “This is wide-spread and will take some time to complete but will have no bearing on the required behaviour of persons using the bus service. At the same time, though, we want to encourage passengers to stay vigilant and take responsibility for their own health – the virus has not left the country.”

CAPTION:

Covid safety regulations such as depicted on this bus shelter will systematically be replaced with other operational information for passengers’ use.

MASKERS NIE MEER VERPLIGTEND OP GO GEORGE-BUSSE NIE

Uitgereik 27 Junie 2022

Na aanleiding van die herroeping van alle Covid-regulasies deur die regering, het GO GEORGE aangekondig dat die dra van maskers nie meer verpligtend is vir passasiers of busbestuurders op busse nie, maar dat enigiemand steeds welkom is om ‘n masker te dra indien verkies.

Handontsmettingsmiddel sal steeds vir ’n kort rukkie op busse en by die GO GEORGE-kiosks beskikbaar wees, maar sal ook uitgefaseer word. Die ontsmetting van busse sal egter voortgaan tot verdere kennisgewing.

James Robb, GO GEORGE-bestuurder, het passasiers en personeel bedank vir hul waaksaamheid en samewerking tydens die pandemie en streng regulasies wat ingestel is om die publiek teen Covid-infeksie te beskerm. “Die verlies van geliefdes, strawwe, gevaarlike en uiters abnormale werksomstandighede – dit alles het bygedra tot ‘n lewensveranderende en baie moeilike tyd vir ons almal, van passasiers tot personeel tot bestuur, en as ons terugkyk, loof ons elke persoon wat die kopskuif gemaak het, en elke personeellid en rolspeler in die bedryf van die busdiens wat die ekstra myl geloop het.”

Robb sê alle aanwysings en boodskappe wat verwys na Covid-regulasies by fasiliteite en op die busse sal mettertyd vervang word. “Dit is wyd verspreid en sal ‘n geruime tyd neem om af te handel, maar sal geen invloed hê op die verwagte gedrag van persone wat die busdiens gebruik nie. Ons moedig passasiers egter aan om versigtig te bly en verantwoordelikheid vir hul eie gesondheid te neem – die virus het nie die land verlaat nie.”

ONDERSKRIF:

Covid-veiligheidsmaatreëls soos hier uitgebeeld op die busskuiling sal stelselmatig vervang word met bedryfsinligting vir passasiers se gebruik.

JCC donates prem baby clothes for Youth Day

George Municipal Councillors Thandiswa Qatana and Marais Kruger who play a co-ordinating role providing guidance and coaching to the Junior City Council,  joined two of the members  on 16^th June, to donate 212 pieces of hand-knitted premature baby clothes to the George Provincial Hospital . The Junior City Council raised money for the purchase of wool by selling cakes and brownies at their respective schools, and received donations of wool from different organisations and residents. With the wool in hand, they visited a number of old age homes to ask the elderly to employ their considerable skills in knitting a variety of beautiful booties, baby beanies and jackets.

In the photograph from the left are Abi Powell, JCC Member (Glenwood High School) Sister Wendy Uithaler (George Provincial Hospital); Dr Else (George Provincial Hospital); Cllr Thandiswa Qatana; Carla Kruger, JCC Deputy Mayor (Outeniqua High School) and Ward 22 Cllr Marais Kruger with the boxes of premature baby clothes donated to the George Hospital NICU

MAYOR’S NEWSLETTER FOR GEORGE HERALD OF 6 June 2022

George completed an Electricity Cost of Supply and Tariff study during 2019/20, being the first such study approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

This study highlighted the need for more cost reflective electricity tariffs to reflect the different types of electricity supply cost: fixed customer service costs, network costs and energy costs.  These tariffs must ensure that all consumers pay their fair share of costs and to ensure that they manage their loads to minimise their own costs and that of the municipality.

With the extensive expected growth for George, it is critical that electricity capacity must be utilised to its fullest by having consumers limit the maximum demand they place on the network.  The new electricity tariffs will comprise:

• A tariff for low usage domestic consumers, using less than 700 kWh/m, without any fixed charges but limited to 20 Amp capacity.
• Consumers who need more than 20 Amp capacity will pay a basic monthly charge, a monthly capacity charge based on the consumers’ capacity and an energy charge. Consumers are reminded to select their capacity, in absence of which the Municipality will select a capacity considered appropriate based on the historical consumption.
• The Municipality supports the implementation of renewable energy by consumers. Consumers who intend to install such power at their premises will be charged a basic and capacity charge to cover customer service and network costs as well as Time of Use (TOU) energy charges.
• Consumers need to apply and register with George as required by NERSA. This process includes paying for a 4 quadrant, 4 wire meter which will enable the measurement of energy on a TOU basis and allow for the measurement of energy injected into the George network which will be credited to the consumer’s energy account at 90% of Eskom energy charges.
• Bulk consumers (>100 kVA) will in future all be charged on a TOU basis and pay an access charge based on the consumer’s maximum capacity / demand with tariffs as supplied at LV (400V), MV (11 000V) and at MV from the HV (66 000V) substation.

These tariffs will allow consumers to save on their electricity costs by shifting loads from more expensive to cheaper times of the day.  It will however provide an incentive to limit the maximum demand it places on the network, not just during every month, but year on year.

Through these new tariffs it is believed that load shifting will take place which will extend the life of the network and reduce Eskom purchase costs to the benefit of all George residents.

Consumers are urged to visit the George Municipality Website to obtain more details. https://www.george.gov.za/electro-technical/electrical-tariff-amendments-2022/

Public Notice: Pride Parade in support of Youth Month
Issued George Municipality, 7 June 2022

The Pride Parade (walk) hosted by George Municipality and S.H.E is an initiative to help raise awareness within our communities,  as well as friends ,families  and supporters for the LGBTIQA++ community in celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) social and self-acceptance, achievements, legal rights, and pride!

For many  within the LGBTIQA++ community, in particular those who are still working through their identity – the experience can involve a whirlwind of emotions and thoughts as they try to get to grips with who they are as individuals.  The festive parade provides an opportunity to wave flags, together as a group  – and to celebrate equality and diversity for the Queer family.

The Goal of the gathering:

• To improve the health, safety and well-being of Lesbians, Gay , Bisexual and Transgender people. As they experience many specific health-related challenges and disparities.

Activities that will take place :

• Information Stalls
• Colour Splash
• Public Speakers
• Handover of Memorandum to SAPS
• Performance

We invite all members of the Queer community and those who support the LGBTIQA+ Community, to join us.

Date:               Wednesday 15 June @ 15h30

Venue:            Meet at the Checkers parking area, opposite Steers (York Street)
Contact:          Lady Jojo 061 624 7431 or Benelee 066 204 8832 with any enquiries.