All outlets that sold food or had food facilities were instructed to apply for valid certificates of acceptability that comply with the general hygiene requirements for food premises and the transportation of food
SHOPS and grocery stores in Noupoort reopened their doors this week after their businesses were closed by health inspectors on November 13.
The police, health inspectors from the Pixley ka Seme Local Municipality and the provincial Department of Health were involved in the inspections.
The police referred media enquiries to the Department of Health, while the municipality did not respond to enquiries.
The spokesperson for the Department of Health, Lulu Mxekezo, yesterday referred enquiries back to the municipality.
She said no health outbreaks were reported at any of the health facilities in the area.
A supermarket owner in Noupoort said that all outlets that sold food or had food facilities were instructed to apply for valid certificates of acceptability that comply with the general hygiene requirements for food premises and the transportation of food.
A certificate will only be issued once a local health authority has made a thorough inspection of the premises and approved the hygiene requirements.
Businesses stated that they had lost income for the days that they were prohibited from trading.
“There was only one store that continued to operate over this time where residents were able to buy their groceries and food. All of the tuck shops, restaurants and grocers were forced to close their doors.
“The rest of us were not properly informed about the certificate of acceptability that was gazetted in June 2018. We will need to pay R950 to apply.”
One supermarket owner believed that he should have first been given notice before his business was closed for so many days.
“They could have first given us a warning with 14 or 21 days before we were made to suspend our business hours. We have been given a month to get our affairs in order. Inspections will be conducted and if they are satisfied we will be issued with certificates.”
