The home affairs ministry has urged the public to delay application for national documents – due to rising Covid-19 cases – that are not urgent.

The ministry has over the past three weeks recorded 10 positive Covid-19 cases among its staff at different offices countrywide. 

Therefore, the ministry implored the public who want services but which are not urgent, to stay at home until the situation normalises.

The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, yesterday said new measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of staff and the public due to the increasing number of new positive Covid-19 cases within the ministry and countrywide.

“The ministry is trying to minimise the number of people queuing at our offices. However, those who are in urgent need of national documents are still welcome and they will be assisted as usual,” Maritz said.

Asked for clarity as to what is referred to as urgent national document applications, commissioner for refugees Likius Valombola explained urgent applications will be processed in case of death and urgent travel documents.

Others include documents needed for social grant purposes for orphans and vulnerable children, documents for academic purposes, as well as municipal services, among others. 

“We have taken Covid-19 seriously since March last year. We introduced a health guideline at all our offices, where we explained all about Covid-19 and its regulations. Issues of mandatory wearing of masks and hand sanitising are also emphasised. We also sent out a circular to strengthen new measures in view of cases of Covid-19,” Valombola stressed.

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