COVID-19: Updated lockdown regulations

COVID-19

 

UPDATED LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS

 

Dear employer

 

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has issued amended regulations in respect of the COVID-19 lockdown.

 

The amendments only amend or expand on the previous regulations and do not replace them, except where this is specifically stated.

 

All other regulations remain in full force and effect.

 

The following regulations have been amended:

 

• Application period

 

The application period of the regulations have been extended to 30 April 2020, with the exception of the tracking and tracing provisions which remain in force for the duration of the national lockdown.

 

• Transportation of liquor

 

The transportation of liquor is prohibited, except where alcohol is required for industries producing hand sanitisers, disinfectant, soap, alcohol for industrial use and household cleaning products. Therefore, wine exports, which was previously permitted has now been prohibited.

 

• Sanitising of non-essential goods

 

The requirement to sanitise non-essential goods transported from their port of entry has been removed as the virus seemingly does not survive the sea journey.

 

• Transportation of cargo

 

The transportation of cargo currently at ports of entry, for exports of goods, to decongest the ports of entry is allowed. Therefore, non-essential goods currently at ports, and destined for export, may be transported.

 

• Stores selling hardware products and vehicle components

 

These stores must maintain a register of persons buying essential goods as listed in the regulations. The register must comply substantially with Form 4 of Annexure C.

 

• Attendance of funerals

 

The regulation stipulating that people traveling to attend a funeral may stay over at hotels, guest houses etc. has been removed. This is in accordance with the regulations that these establishments may not operate during the lockdown.

 

• Movement of children

 

Movement of children is prohibited, except where arrangements are in place in terms of a Court Order, agreement registered with the Family Advocate, or where the co-holder of parental rights is in possession of a birth certificate or certified copy thereof. Children may not be moved to any premises where there is a person who has come into contact with someone who has COVID-19 or is suspected to have come into contact with such a person. All documentation as set out must be carried by the parent or caregiver transporting the child.

 

• Eviction proceedings

 

No person may be evicted from his place of residence whether formal/informal or farm dwelling for the duration of the lockdown.

 

The following regulations have been added:

 

• Energy and petroleum products

 

To ensure a continuous supply of energy and petroleum products, collieries that supply Eskom must continue to operate at full capacity. Refineries must operate at full capacity and such operations must include smelters, plants and furnaces.

 

• Mining operations

 

Gold, gold refinery, coal and mining must be conducted at a reduced capacity of no more than 50% during the period of the lockdown and thereafter at a gradually increasing capacity as directed by Government. The word “essential” has been removed before mining. We therefore assume that all mining operations may resume. These operations must be conducted under strict safety requirements which can be viewed here.

 

• Essential goods

 

The following has been added as essential goods:

– hardware, components and supplies required by any qualified tradesmen to effect emergency repairs at residential properties;

– hardware, components and supplies required for any project relating to provision of water, electricity or other essential services; and

– components for vehicles undergoing emergency repairs and used by a person performing an essential service.

 

• Essential services

 

The following has been added as essential services:

– informal traders and Spaza shops have been included in the list of essential services, subject to certain permit requirements;

– call centres for debt restructuring for consumers of retailers and access to short-term insurance policies have been added to the list of call centres that may operate;

– trades necessary for emergency repair work, including plumbers, electricians, locksmiths etc.

– emergency automobile repairs for persons rendering essential services; and

– information and communication services rendered to persons performing essential services.

 

We will keep employers abreast of any further developments in this regard.

 

NEASA 24/7 NATIONAL HOTLINE: 086 016 3272

legalhotline@neasa.co.za

 

Regards

 

 

We are all in this together.

Privileged and challenged to be South African.