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The government has outlined industries that will be allowed to return to work as part of the gradual lifting of the South African blockade beginning May 1.
At a press conference on Saturday (April 25), the Minister of Commerce and Industries, Ebrahim Patel, said that several factors were considered when compiling the list of companies that were considered, including:
- Transmission risk;
- The economic impact of the continuous closure of that sector;
- The sector’s broadest contribution to the economy;
- The socioeconomic importance of the sector.
“The focus of this phase is the restart of the economy,” he said. “We estimate that it will allow an additional 1.5 million workers to return to work. This means that around four out of ten workers (40%) will be able to return to work as part of this gradual process. ”
He then described the businesses that will allow him to return to work and the restrictions that apply to them.
Wholesale and retail
Patel said more stores will be allowed to open during the new restrictions. He added that the following items can be sold by South African retailers:
- Food, hygiene, cleaning, protection and care of the baby, stationery;
- Winter clothing, bedding and heating;
- ICT personal equipment (home office equipment and mobile phones);
- Medical supplies
- Fuel and gas;
- Hardware supplies for skilled merchants for essential workers;
- Vehicle components for essential workers;
- Chemicals and packaging;
Manufacturing
The following workers may return under the following restrictions:
- 100% of workers related to the manufacture of Tier 4 products and paper;
- 50% of workers related to the manufacture of stationery, cement and construction;
- 50% of workers related to the manufacture of automotive equipment;
- 100% of workers related to fuel production and refineries;
- 50% of workers related to the manufacture of winter clothing and bedding;
- 20% of all other manufactures.
Transport and logistics
- Cargo for national and neighboring transport, with priority given to Tier 4 goods;
- E-hailing;
- Limited public transportation.
Media
- Online services and live streaming;
- Newspapers and broadcasting.
Services
- Vehicle recovery;
- Automobile emergency repairs;
- Emergency repair work (plumbers, electricians, etc.)
information
- All ICT workers;
- All workers related to the sale of ICT equipment and airtime;
- Postal and courier services for medical sand and other Tier 4 products.
farming
All workers may return subject to the rules of social distancing. This includes:
- Food, livestock and agriculture producers;
- Essential fishing operations;
- Harvest;
- Forestry.
Mining
- 100% of the workers will be able to return to where they are responsible for the production of coal for Eskom;
- 100% of workers can return where they work with open pit mining;
- 50% of other workers can return.
Building
- All civil engineers can return to where they are responsible for public works projects.
- All civil engineers can return to where they are responsible for emergency repairs.
Accommodation and food service.
- The accommodation used for quarantine purposes can be opened;
- Food delivery is allowed (subject to curfew).
Internal aid
- Resident staff and support for Level 4 staff.
Health
- All social workers;
- Funeral and cremation services;
- Veterinarian and medical services;
- Sanitation and pest control services.
- 50% of recycling workers.
Finance and business
- If possible, these workers should work from home;
- Tier 4 support services (such as car rental);
- Private security;
- Call centers;
- Essential financial services;
- Payroll-related workers.
Restrictions
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said that the main change under “Level 4” restrictions is that more people will be allowed to return to work.
He added that this list of industries was based on the risk of transmission in each sector, the economic impact of the continued closure of that sector, and the socioeconomic importance of the sector.
Workers over 60, as well as workers with co-occurring illnesses, should be offered a “work from home option” or remain on leave. All staff who can work from home must be able to do so.
Individual workplaces must have a risk assessment and plans in place, while mass testing must be carried out for workplaces with more than 500 workers.
Dlamini-Zuma also warned that if South Africans do not adhere to the restrictions and the number of coronavirus cases increases, the government will have no choice but to return to the current Level 5.
To avoid this, he said there will be ongoing bans that include:
- Cloth face masks will be required when leaving home;
- The minister pointed out that the visits of friends, neighbors and relatives are still not allowed below level 4;
- Exercise will be allowed under very strict conditions. The gyms will remain closed;
Briefing of COGTA and DTI ministers on # COVID-19 Adjusted risk strategy in SA. pic.twitter.com/ElgEcwAoPb
– GCIS media link (@GCISMedia) April 25, 2020
Bull run levels in southern Africás
As President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday night (April 23), the country is moving towards a gradual alert level system, to determine how tight the country’s blockade restrictions will be as it continues to fight the pandemic. of coronavirus, while the economy restarts.
The president said that a blockade is still the best way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but that it cannot be maintained indefinitely.
“Beyond April 30, we will begin a gradual and gradual return to economic activity,” he said.
“There is still a lot that is unknown about the manner and spread of the virus among the population,” he said. “Therefore, the action taken now must be measured.”
The levels, which denote the level of action necessary to stop the spread of the virus, are as follows:
- Level 5: drastic measures are required;
- Level 4: some activity can be allowed, subject to extreme requirements;
- Level 3: relaxation of some restrictions at work and social activities;
- Level 2: greater relaxation of restrictions, but the maintenance of social distance;
- Level 1: The most normal activity can be resumed, with caution and health guidelines followed at all times.
Read: South African companies will now be able to apply for “Covid-19” loans at their bank. This is what you need to know
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