The South African Government has developed a risk-adjusted strategy for economic activity.
There are five levels of risk:
Level 1: Low virus spread
Level 2: Moderate virus spread with high readiness
Level 3: Moderate virus spread, with moderate readiness
Level 4: Moderate to high virus spread, with low to moderate readiness
Level 5: High virus spread, and/or low readiness
The following restrictions will remain in place after the national lockdown, and regardless of the level of alert at any given time:
- Sit-in restaurants and hotels
- Bars and shebeens
- Conference and convention centres
- Entertainment venues, including cinemas, theatres, and concerts
- Sporting events
- Religious, cultural and social gatherings
No gatherings of more than 10 people outside of a workplace will be permitted.
Passengers on all modes of transport must wear a cloth mask to be allowed entry into the vehicle. Hand sanitisers must be made available, and all passengers must sanitise their hands before entering. Public transport vehicles must be sanitised on a daily basis.
The following rules will be imposed across all sectors and alert levels:
- Industries are encouraged to adopt a work-from-home strategy where possible, and all staff who can work remotely must be allowed to do so.
- Workers above the age of 60, as well as workers with comorbidities identified by the Department of Health should be offered a work-from-home option or allowed to remain on leave with full pay.
- There should be workplace protocols in place that would include disease surveillance and prevention of the spread of infection.
- All employers to screen staff on a daily basis for symptoms of COVID-19, including a symptom check as well as temperature assessment.
- All employees to use a cloth mask especially where social distancing is not possible.
- Work environment to have sanitisers available or hand washing facilities with soap.
- Stringent social distancing measures should be implemented in the workplace.
The Department of Health will issue a comprehensive guidance note stipulating health and safety practices for returning to work.
Click here to view the full presentation. Also included are some insights into how lockdown may be lifted in stages.
