Polokwane High Court ordered the release of two doctors who were forcefully quarantined at a facility in Modimolle.
The Limpopo cabinet and top officials of the mining houses have been engaged in several virtual meetings over the forceful quarantine of workers for up to 14 days.
READ | Implats closes Marula mine as ‘cluster’ of workers tests positive for Covid-19
Ramathuba said the 13 mineworkers were part of the 130 employees who were unable to explain their whereabouts after they returned to work at Implat’s Marula Platinum Mine.
About 2 700 workers reported for duty between 15 and 17 April. They were tested for Covid-19 and were allowed to go underground.
She added the 13 workers were now being housed at facility under the care of government health officials and were asymptomatic.
Increasing numbers
Ramathuba insisted forceful quarantine was the only way to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“People who are not complying must be isolated and this thing of self-isolation – we have seen – it doesn’t work.
“The mines are saying they will quarantine those who test positive after presenting with the symptoms. But how many will test positive? We are saying from our side that everyone must be quarantined because you don’t know who is infected or not,” Ramathuba said.
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The government is expected to meet again with the mining houses on Monday.
The number of Covid-19 cases in Limpopo has now risen to 76. The number also includes two cases reported in Lephalale on Friday.
Ramathuba said the number was expected to rise as more people returned to work in the province’s mines.
