Updated SA Jewish Community Guidelines

Dear Jewish community

In the three days since our last community letter there have been further developments around Covid-19 and in terms of our community and government’s response to the pandemic.

Below are the revised guidelines that have been created by the Jewish communal leadership, the various sectorial clusters that have been established (education, welfare and religious) in close consultation with experts in the field of infectious diseases.

The community is urged to take careful note of these guidelines.

There are two areas that we would like to make specific mention of:

1. Self-Quarantine for people returning from overseas or who have been in contact with someone infected with COVID-19

It is important that our community adhere to this critical factor in minimising the transmission of COVID-19.

Minister Mkhize in his briefing this morning said, “each and every one of the individuals is capable of creating their own mini-outbreak.” Please see guidelines attached.

2. Limiting Community events

Wherever possible communal gatherings should not take place. Our guidelines will make reference to some painful decisions we as a community have made in this regard.

Similarly included in the attached document are guidelines by the Chief Rabbi’s office regarding simchas.

Minister Mkhize spoke of South Korea, where 60% of their COVID-19 cases originated from one church. We as a community need to be vigilant in terms of ensuring that our shuls and communal gatherings are doing all they can to minimise the risk of further spread.

3. Adhering to Personal Hygiene

It is imperative that community members adhere to these guidelines; thorough washing of hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, not hugging, kissing and shaking hands and maintaining a distance of 6 feet.

Please note that the COVID-19 Community Update platform is continuously providing updates and YouTubes with Professor Barry Schoub addressing specific issues of concern to our community. It can be found on the SAJBD.org Website. Y There is a facility for you to send questions to Prof Schoub. Please submit them here.

You can also receive regular updates on our Facebook page.