Cape Town - The Western Cape government launched a pop-up vaccination site at the Arrowgate bus depot in Montana on Monday morning.
The Arrowgate vaccine pop-up clinic forms part of October Transport Month activities while incorporating the government’s commitment to take Covid-19 vaccines to the people.
The Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell, Health MEC Dr Nomafrench Mbombo and Golden Arrow Bus Services (Gabs) chief executive Francois Meyer were at the launch.
The province said the partnership would add an essential dimension to Gabs’ existing vaccination drive, which makes use of its buses to transport employees from the company to vaccine sites during working hours.
Transport and Public Works MEC Daylin Mitchell said: “The vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe Covid-19 illness, which may lead to hospitalisation and death. That is why we are working hard to bring vaccines closer to our communities to save lives and jobs.
“It is very important that we target public transport operators as they work around the clock, taking commuters to economic opportunities as we are rebuilding our economy.
“Public transport operators are working in areas of high transit as they transport people to and from different destinations and their staff often find it difficult to visit vaccine sites to get jabbed,” Mitchell said.
“It is encouraging to see, in the transport sector, so much interest in being vaccinated.
“As the government, we will continue to monitor the stringent health and safety procedures which need to be followed, including the cleaning and sanitising of public transport vehicles, the availability of hand sanitiser on board for passengers and the driver and the compulsory wearing of masks by all on board.”
We are vaccinating Golden Arrow Buses Employees.
— Western Cape Health MEC (@WCHealthMEC) October 25, 2021
Still committed to taking vaccines to where people are, targeting men, 50+ and people with diabetes, and high blood pressure.
As for men, generally, they don't like to visit health facilities.@WestCapeHealth @nomafrench pic.twitter.com/hmdJBSTkNi
Health MEC Dr Nomafrench Mbombo said: “Vaccination of the bus drivers is of great significance due to the nature of their job. They interact with people all the time; it is important that they are vaccinated to protect themselves and the customers.
“I can imagine that it is difficult for them to get vaccinated due to their working hours, and the proximity of the vaccination site is also a challenge. This means they miss out on getting vaccinated and are left behind. These are the people who have been working throughout all the lockdown levels and carry our province’s economy.
“I thank Golden Arrows Bus Service for approaching the Department of Health to ensure that their workers are vaccinated. This speaks to the power of partnerships,” she said.
“The victory over this virus lies in collaborations and this will go a long way in saving jobs and boosting the economy.”
Gabs chief executive Francois Meyer said: “This partnership will add an essential dimension to the company’s existing vaccination drive, which makes use of buses to transport employees from all across the company to vaccine sites during working hours.
“Current indications are that approximately 75% of Golden Arrows’ staff complement have already been vaccinated, but our aim is to make it possible for every employee to get vaccinated.
“This pop-up clinic will allow us to make it easier for bus drivers who work shifts, which often makes it difficult for them to visit facilities, to access vaccinations as they come in from their morning shift or before they begin their afternoon shifts,” Meyer said.
“We are very grateful to the Department of Transport and Public Works and the Department of Health for the level of support that we have received throughout the vaccination process.”