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Covid-19

Media Release: Increased risk of COVID 19 infection in ‘hubbly bubbly’ smokers versus non-smokers

Media Release: Increased risk of COVID 19 infection in ‘hubbly bubbly’ smokers versus non-smokers

For Immediate Release
31 March 2020

Smoking the hubbly bubbly (hookah, waterpipe) increases a person’s risk of both bacterial and viral infections. This is especially important to note as the COVID-19 disease plagues the world and infection rates in South Africa continue to rise. Smoking cigarettes and the hubbly bubbly is bad for your health and those around you. Second-hand smokers are as much at risk as smokers as it causes numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The Garden Route District Municipality Executive Manager for Community Services, Mr Clive Africa, warns the public of risks relating to COVID-19 and smoking the hookah pipe. He urges the public to avoid smoking at all costs and also said that we must not forget about the dangers of passing around or sharing a hubbly bubbly. “Although we are all supposed to be in isolation, a hubbly bubbly is often still shared among a group of people. This is dangerous, because it can aid in transmitting diseases like hepatitis, herpes simplex (fever blisters), tuberculosis and also the COVID-19 disease, which is spread by droplets.”

Smoking a hubbly bubbly and sharing it with others create the risk of being infected with coronavirus. Various countries have already banned the use of hookahs in public places to prevent the spread of the virus. Garden Route District Municipality urges everyone to avoid smoking cigarettes and the hookah, in line with this international trend.

How does a hubbly bubbly get contaminated with infectious microorganisms?

The risk of transmission of infectious agents through smoking a hubbly bubbly is high because mouth pieces are shared between smokers who pass around microorganisms, including COVID-19. Some smokers cough into the hoses, and the moisture in tobacco also promotes the survival of microorganisms inside the hubbly bubbly’s hose. The cold water in the chamber of the hubbly bubbly may facilitate the survival of COVID-19.

More scary facts:

  • The nicotine content in a hubbly bubbly’s smoke is equivalent to that of 200-300 cigarettes smoked per day, demonstrating a very high potential for addiction.
  • In general, hubbly bubbly smokers are exposed to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke compared to those smoking a cigarette.
  • There is a myth that hookah smoking is safer than smoking cigarettes because the smoke passes through water to filter out all the “bad stuff”. However, research has shown that hookah smokers receive more carbon monoxide (CO), nicotine and smoke than cigarette smokers.
  • Due to the frequency of puffing, depth of inhalation, and length of smoking, hookah smokers inhale higher levels of toxins.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Media Release: Lockdown: Transport of Essential Workers

Media Release: Lockdown: Transport of Essential Workers

For Immediate Release
29 March 2020

Since the Covid-19 lockdown commenced last week, we have received numerous reports of essential services workers, including healthcare and retail staff, being stranded and unable to get to work.  Disturbingly, we have also received reports of minibus taxi operators refusing to allow their usual passengers to use alternative transport and, in some cases, violently attacking alternative means of transport for essential services workers. This is unacceptable and is happening despite our commitment to work together to address the challenges of the lockdown.

Many of the essential services workers that have been left stranded would ordinarily have used minibus taxis.  Fewer minibus taxis are operating than normal, with some operators being unwilling to do so due to the new restrictions placed on their operating capacity by the public transport lockdown regulations. Minibus taxis are now only permitted to carry 8 people, rather than the usual 16 (i.e. 50% capacity). During the lockdown, all public transport operators are restricted to two daily operating slots: from 05:00 (5 am) to 09:00 (9 am), and from 16:00 (4 pm) to 20:00 (8 pm).

It goes without saying that it is critically important for essential services workers to be able to get to work at the time they are needed.  This is especially important in the healthcare sector, who are at the frontlines of the fight against Covid-19.

At this difficult time, we implore the minibus taxi industry to continue transporting essential workers, where possible, and to stop intimidating other transport providers or passengers looking for alternative means of getting to work.  We understand and are sympathetic to the challenges that the capacity restrictions impose on the industry, and would welcome immediate dialogue to develop a way forward.

At the same time, my Department has requested that Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) increase its services to provide an immediate alternative for those left stranded.  We have also urgently requested that hospitals and other essential services provide us with the details of their stranded employees so that we can develop an appropriate response, working with GABS and the minibus taxi industry.

We all need to pull together at this difficult time to ensure that our essential services workers can get to where they need to go.  This is critical for the broader fight against Covid-19.

To this end, we urge all essential service employers who are experiencing problems to contact the Department on HOD.TransportPublicWorks@westerncape.gov.za, stating the nature of their transport challenge. Please provide specific details, including number of people that need to be transported, from where, to where, at what time.

It has always been my intention to work with the minibus taxi industry to find the best responses to the challenges to the Covid-19 pandemic and the operating challenges that have arisen during the lockdown. However, the events of the last few days has shown this is not possible. The Department of Transport and Public Works is actively engaging to find solutions to the problems that face the citizens of the Western Cape. We appeal to the minibus taxi industry not to interfere with these arrangements.

Media Queries:              

Ntomboxolo Makoba-Somdaka

Spokesperson for Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela

Tel: 021 483 8067

Cell: 082 953 0026

Email: Ntomboxolo.Makoba-Somdaka@westerncape.gov.za

Media Statement: Public Transport – Critical days for the Elderly, Disabled and other beneficiaries

Media  Statement

For Immediate Release

30 March 2020

SASSA will pay social grants to older persons and persons with disabilities from 30 to 31 March, other beneficiaries will be able to access their grants from 1 April to 3 April 2020.

We encourage all persons over 65 years old to stay at home as far as possible, if accessing grants today and tomorrow, going for shopping or any activity in public, please remember to keep to a social distance of 1.5m. Also, stay hygiene-conscious, make sure you keep your hands clean.

The elderly should try not to stay too long in risky areas like shops, banks and pharmacies.

PAPER NOTES

Like any other surface with which a large number of people come in contact with, paper notes can carry bacteria or viruses. COVID-19 can live on paper surfaces for 24 hours. This week is a very critical week as the elderly will get ALL PAY.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), website, “It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has a virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.”

GLOVES

If elderly persons have access to gloves they should wear them, sanitise their hands to prevent the spread of the virus.

ATM MACHINES

ATM machines need to be regularly sanitized.

POINT-OF-SALES MACHINES

Point-of-sales machines need to be wiped regularly with a disinfectant.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

If taxis are used by the elderly, please see to it that the windows of taxis and buses are opened and well ventilated. Taxi operators must be encouraged to ensure that all passengers’ hands are sprayed with an approved disinfectant.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: GO GEORGE

GO GEORGE will offer its reduced public transport for extended periods between the hours of 05:00 and 20:00, from 30 March until Friday 3 April 2020. This follows the announcement of the Minister of Transport received late this afternoon. We are frantically busy and trying our best to bring in additional drivers from the lockdown and revise our timetables. We are trying to do in a few hours what normally takes a few days.

THIS IS PURELY FOR THE BENEFIT OF SOCIAL GRANT RECIPIENTS TO TRAVEL TO PAY POINTS. SASSA beneficiaries are required to carry their IDs and SASSA cards when travelling on public transport as prove that they are using the service for this purpose.

‱ Public transport remains a VERY HIGH-RISK ENVIRONMENT for the spreading of the Covid-19 virus, and even more so for the elderly and vulnerable members of the community. Please try to make alternative arrangements if you MUST leave your house.
‱ If you own a car and have a friend, neighbour or family member who needs to go into town to draw their grant money, PLEASE OFFER THEM A RIDE. Let’s practise UBUNTU.
‱ If you have absolutely no alternative but using the bus, please consider travelling to town after the morning peak period (after 08:30) to give those that render essential services and have to travel to work, space on the bus – seats are very limited now.
‱ By lockdown regulation, every bus can only load 50% of its seating capacity, which comes down to 20 passengers on a GO GEORGE bus to ensure adequate social distance between passengers.
‱ Where needed, trips trip will be undertaken with two buses in a row to accommodate as many essential services staff as possible while keeping to the maximum of 20 passengers per bus.
‱ To limit potential exposure of passengers to the Covid-19 virus, GO GEORGE is currently not adding more routes to the reduced service during lockdown.

These arrangements are subject to change. Any changes will be communicated to the public through the GO GEORGE Facebook page and the media.

Thanks for spreading the Covid-19 health safety measures.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Media Release: Contact tracing for coronavirus (COVID-19): what happens during the procedure?

Media Release: Contact tracing for coronavirus (COVID-19): what happens during the procedure?

For Immediate Release
29 March 2020

Contact tracing is a procedure used by Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) and the Western Cape Department of Health, to trace those who have been in close contact with individuals infected with COVID-19, and to find out exactly where individuals who tested positive contracted the virus. The term “close contact” refers to anyone who has been in direct contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19 by either a private or public health facility, and verified by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD).

Dr Terence Marshall, who leads a group of health workers through the Cluster: Health, and reports daily to the GRDM Multi-Agency Command Centre (MACC), explained a close contact as follows: “Imagine a person covered in glitter, his or her entire body. If you moved around such a person, would you have caught any of the glitter they had on them? One example to simplify this further, is of a lecturer working with hundreds of people per day and who tests positive. Those who sat in the front row of the class are most at risk for infection because little droplets of saliva could have accidentally spread to others near the lecturer. More specifically: spending more than 15 minutes with a positively-tested person who was less than 1 metre away would qualify as a  close contact.

A close contact is also one who has shared meals, a bathroom or a kitchen with a positively-tested person.” Dr Marshall also said that “the time period is for those who were in this contact for up to 7 days before the symptoms started”.

Social distancing is very important to consider when assessing who a close contact was. “Through what has happened abroad, we have learned that the safest distance from someone with COVID-19 is 1 – 2 metres. At the District advocate a social distance of 1.5m or more, “ said Dr Marshall.

How does tracing work?

The Municipal Health unit of GRDM is staffed with specialists who understand how a disease like COVID-19 spreads.

Step 1: EHPs contact the person who was tested positive, to trace their movements back to the person who they potentially caught the virus from. It is important to do backward tracing, so that the District understands how the virus is spread. As the virus becomes more widespread it may become more difficult for the EHP experts to figure out where each infected person first came in contact with the virus.

Step 2: The second stage of contact tracing involves getting in touch with those who may have been in close contact with an infected person. The COVID-19 disease can incubate inside a person for 5-12.5 days  before any symptoms become apparent. Some do not show any symptoms at all. This is particularly dangerous and why the lockdown is of vital importance. Someone may be infected but be asymptomatic.

Those who have been in close contact with a positively-tested individual, must self-quarantine for 14 days after the last time they were with the individual.

What is the difference between isolation and self-quarantine?

Isolation and quarantine are public health practices used to protect the public by preventing exposure to people who have or may have a contagious disease.

Isolation, as opposed to quarantine, is what someone who is confirmed to be ill with a communicable disease has to do to separate themselves from healthy people around them.

Quarantine separates, and restricts the movements, of healthy people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they begin to show symptoms; if they do, they need to be tested then.

Why are members of the public not told exactly where confirmed cases occurred, or who have been infected?

People who have been exposed are contacted directly. The District cannot reveal the name of a person who tested positive, because it is an infringement on an individual’s rights. GRDM does, however, encourage and request those who have tested positive, to tell others.

When am I considered to have Covid-19?

You will be suspected to have the Covid-19 virus if you have flu-like symptoms and in the last 14 days:

  • have travelled internationally to an area where Covid-19 is spreading from person-to-person in the community OR have been in close contact (e.g. face-to-face contact, been in a closed room, transport) with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 OR
  • Have a household member or someone at work who has tested positive for Covid-19 OR
  • Have worked in a facility where a Covid-19 case/s has been diagnosed and was not wearing personal protective equipment OR
  • Have travelled to an area where Covid-19 is spreading from person-to-person in the community.

Tests must then be done to confirm the disease, or not.

What to do if I suspect that I might be infected?

Should you develop flu-like symptoms after visiting a country or area where Covid-19 is spreading from person-to-person in the community OR had close contact with a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19, stay calm. Remember that even if you do have Covid-19, most people have a mild illness. It’s important to seek care in a way that prevents you from spreading it to others:

If you have access to private healthcare call your general doctor/ local health facility or NICD Hotline on 0800 029 999, or the Provincial Hotline on 021 928 4102. Explain your symptoms and where you have travelled, or with whom you have had contact.

If you use public healthcare, call your local health facility or NICD Hotline on 0800 029 999, or the Provincial Hotline on 021 928 4102. You will receive advice on what to do. If you are unable to make a call, go to your local facility. Before you enter the facility, alert staff that you are concerned that you might have Covid-19. Expect to be asked to put on a face mask. You will be asked to wait separately from other patients until a health worker can help you.

Seek care urgently if you develop difficulty breathing. If possible, call ahead to your local health facility to inform them that you are on your way.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Appeal by the Head of Health, Western Cape Government, for the appropriate use of face masks

Many people feel that they can protect themselves against COVID-19 (Coronavirus) by wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks as a precaution.

The Head of the Western Cape Health Department has issued an appeal to the general public of the province to not wear gloves and masks, due to the risks these items pose in spreading the coronavirus if not used properly.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a scarce commodity and should be used appropriately and by the appropriate people. If you are not ill and not in close contact with someone who has Coronavirus, you do not need to wear a mask or gloves.

What is personal protective equipment (PPE)?

Personal protective equipment is a wide term for items, such as surgical face masks, N95 respirators, aprons, face shields or visors, goggles, and gloves, that protect against different types of risk. PPE is used when treating people who have an infectious disease, cleaning or removing waste.

Who must wear PPE?

Risk determines what personal protection equipment to wear. In general, PPE such as masks and gloves, are only needed if you are in direct contact with- or caring for a person who is confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19, at home or in a health facility. This is part of infection control.

Scientific evidence proves that by wearing a mask, if it is not needed, you may put yourself at higher risk because you fiddle with the mask and then transfer germs from your hands to your face.

Wearing a mask or gloves when going to the supermarket or pharmacy to buy essentials, is ineffective, unnecessary, and will not protect you from the Coronavirus. In fact, it can spread infection faster.

The Health Department has developed clear guidelines for the general public. It advises the public to practice good hand hygiene, not touch your face, and to keep a distance of 1.5 metres from other people when you have to leave your home for essential items or medical care. Members of the public should also strictly obey the conditions of the current lockdown by staying at home unless necessary – to not do so is breaking the law.

To reiterate, for the general public no PPE is needed.

You do not need to wear a mask in public if you are not ill. In fact, if you do not feel well, stay at home. If you have flu-like symptoms, call the national hotline at 0800 029 999 or the provincial hotline at 021 928 4102.

We are aware that certain national policies have a requirement for staff to wear certain PPE items, for example masks. We are engaging those bodies with expert advice to make sure PPE is used appropriately.

For more information on do’s and don’ts of Coronavirus, visit our website on www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus

Together, let’s stop the spread.

– END –

Contact:
Mark Van Der Heever
Deputy Director: Communications
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 078 589 4156
Email: Mark.vanderheever@westerncape.gov.za

Media Statement: Trading hours, meals-to-go and cigarette sales

Media  Statement

For Immediate Release

29 March 2020

Three issues, namely the standardising of trading hours, selling meals-to-go and cigarettes, were some of the many pressing issues discussed at the Multi Agency Command Centre at Garden Route District Municipality over the past two days.

Here is what you need to know:

Trading hours

It was decided to standardise the trading hours of shops that trade with food. The decision, taken at the COVID-19 Garden Route District Multi Agency Command Centre, aims to reduce the number of people on the road and visiting shops. Trading hours will be between 08:00 and 18:00, daily.

Meals-to-go

Selling of ready-made hot meals is prohibited. No business, food outlet, including supermarkets (like Spar, Woolworths, Checkers Pick ‘ Pay, etc.), restaurants or cafĂ©s will be allowed to provide any hot prepared meals, meals-to-go or take aways to any member of the public.

Cigarettes

A decision was made a short while ago by the South African Police Service to ban the sale of cigarettes, this decision, has however been reversed. Grocers who form part of the selling of essential items, are allowed to sell cigarettes again, but not Tobacco-only traders.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Media Statement: Restrictions to Funeral Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Please take note that the regulations subsequently changed and a new statement is available here: https://www.gardenroute.gov.za/2020/04/02/media-statement-amendments-to-the-covid-19-regulations-funerals/

Media  Statement

For Immediate Release

28 March 2020

Grieving families will unfortunately have to endure strict measures for funeral services during the COVID-19 pandemic. One funeral service with 50 or less mourners, per service, will be allowed until further notice. Added t0 this, persons are prohibited to travel outside their province, metro or district area to attend a funeral service.

Funerary customs of various cultures, although respected by government, have to be restricted to smaller groups and one ritual, due to the risk of transmissions of COVID-19 during group gatherings. Safety measures must be strictly adhered to.

Night vigils will also be prohibited, equal restrictions for weddings, traditional ceremonies and parties, are in place.

Local or Metro Municipalities can adjust their bylaws to a smaller number of people per group if they choose to do so. The decisions were published in the Government Gazette, No. 43148 – 25 March 2020.

Download the Regulations – 43148

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

iStock.com/brianajackson

Media Statement: Strictly prohibited during lockdown – non-essential services done via ‘home visits’

Media  Statement

For Immediate Release

27 March 2020

Authorities monitoring online media have noticed a multitude of opportunistic individuals sharing their plans to offer non-essential services during the lockdown. Only government-approved essential services may be rendered from 27 March to 16 April 2020.

Offenders will face serious consequences, which might include:

  • arrest
  • detention
  • fines (up to R5000.00).

Members of the public who allow businesses to come to their homes are equally guilty as those rendering services and will face equal repercussions.

A ZERO TOLERANCE approach is required to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Let’s stop the spread

  • Stay home
  • Keep 1.5 metres from others
  • Call for advice
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue or the corner of your arm.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Media Release: Have you registered for your permit to operate during the lockdown as an essential service?

Media Release: Have you registered for your permit to operate during the lockdown as an essential service?

For Immediate Release
27 March 2020

Have you registered for your permit to operate during the lockdown as an essential service?

The Bizportal website (http://www.bizportal.gov.za/) is now operational. Companies need to click on the Services tab and then on the COVID-19 tab. This will take them to a page where they need to register the company details. As a last resort, should you be unsure whether your operations qualify as essential, and you are unable to access the Bizportal, an email can be sent to lockdownexemptions@thedti.gov.za.

What is listed as an essential service during the lockdown?

In the Regulations made in terms of Section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act published on 25 March 2020, “essential service” is defined the services as defined in section 213 of the Labour Relations Act, and as listed below.

Categories of essential services shall be confined to the following services:

  1. Medical, Health (including Mental Health), Laboratory and Medical services;
  2. Disaster Management, Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Emergency services;
  3. Financial services necessary to maintain the functioning of the banking and payments environment, including the JSE and similar exchanges, as well as Insurance services;
  4. Production and sale of the goods listed in category A of Annexure B of the regulations, as covered in the previous FAQ;
  5. Grocery stores, including spaza shops;
  6. Electricity, water, gas and fuel production, supply and maintenance;
  7. Critical jobs for essential government services as determined by Head of National or Provincial Departments in accordance with the guidance by the DPSA, including Social Grant Payments;
  8. Birth and death certificates, and replacement identification documents;
  9. Essential municipal services;
  10. Care services and social relief of distress provided to older persons, mentally ill, persons with disabilities, the sick, and children;
  11. Funeral services, including mortuaries;
  12. Wildlife Management, Anti-poaching, Animal Care and Veterinary services;
  13. Newspaper, broadcasting and telecommunication infrastructure and services;
  14. Production and sale of any chemicals, hygiene products, pharmaceuticals for the medical or retail sector;
  15. Cleaning, sanitation, sewerage, waste and refuse removal services;
  16. Services related to the essential functioning of courts, judicial officers, the Master of the High Court, Sheriffs and legal practitioners required for those services;
  17. Essential SARS services defined by the Commissioner of SARS;
  18. Police, peace officers, traffic officers, military medical personnel and soldiers, correctional services officials and traffic management services;
  19. Postal services and courier services related to transport of medical products;
  20. Private security services;
  21. Air-traffic Navigation, Civil Aviation Authority, Cargo Shipping and dockyard services;
  22. Gold, gold refinery, coal and essential mining;
  23. Accommodation used for persons rendering essential services, quarantine, isolation and the lockdown;
  24. Production, manufacturing, supply, logistics, transport, delivery, critical maintenance and repair in relation to the rendering of essential services including components and equipment;
  25. Transport services for persons rendering essential services and goods, and transportation of patients;
  26. Services rendered by the Executive, members of Parliament, Members of the Provincial Legislature, Members of Local Councils, the Judiciary, traditional leaders and National Office Bearers of Political Parties represented in Parliament;
  27. Commissioners of the South African Human Rights Commission, Gender Commission, and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, and the Public Protection and Deputy Public Protector; and
  28. Transport and logistics in respect of essential goods as set out in A about to neighbouring countries.

ENDS

Media Queries
Herman Pieters | Senior Communicator
Garden Route District Municipality
E-mail: communications@gardenroute.gov.za

Government measures for SMMEs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

The impact of COVID-19 on Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) has been prevalent long before the announcement of the State of National Disaster by the President, and will worsen owing to the lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. SMMEs and the Informal Sector will be affected on a multi-front, and the government continues to announce multiple interventions to alleviate the economic impact of COVID-19 against SMMEs and the Informal Sector.

The Department of Small Business Development has introduced three intervention measures to support SMMEs affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. These are the Business Growth and Resilience Facility, SMME Relief Finance Scheme and Sefa-Debt Restructuring Facility.

BUSINESS GROWTH AND RESILIENCE FACILITY

The Business Growth and Resilience Facility is targeted at SMMEs who locally manufacture or supply hygiene and medical products that are in demand in order to curb and manage the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These are products such as sanitizers, detergents and tissue paper. This facility will offer working capital, stock, bridging finance, order finance and equipment finance. The funding amount will be based on the funding needs of the actual business.

SMME RELIEF FINANCE FACILITY

The SMME Relief Finance Facility will provide soft-loan funding for existing businesses in distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The relief will be for a period of 6 months, from 01 April 2020. In an instance where SMMEs will require assistance for longer than 6 months, the term may be extended dependent on their needs. Separate and tailor-made Facilities are being finalized for the Informal Sector, Spaza Shops and the Self-Employed. These will be announced on Friday, 27 March 2020.

Key to the qualifying criteria for the Business Growth and Resilience Facility and the SMME Relief Finance Scheme is that the entities must be 100% South African owned, 70% of their employees must be South African, and the entities must be registered and be compliant with SARS. In the instance that an SMME is not compliant, they will be assisted with the compliance process before their applications can be considered.

SEFA-DEBT RESTRUCTURING FACILITY

The Sefa-Debt Restructuring Facility is geared towards sefa-funded SMMEs that are negatively affected by the pandemic. A payment moratorium/ holiday will be given to the qualifying SMMEs for a period of a maximum of 6 months, in efforts to reduce the installment burden of loan obligations on the affected SMMEs. These SMMEs will be required to illustrate the direct linkage of their business distress to the pandemic.

The SMME South Africa platform (www.smmesa.gov.za) was created in partnership with Telkom SA, and will serve as a gateway for SMMEs to apply for both financial and non-financial support, access information about business opportunities and market access support during the pandemic, and beyond.