3 May 2020 

As of 1pm on 3 May, the Western Cape has recorded 3113 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 115

The Western Cape has recorded an additional six COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 58. We send our condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.

Most successful day of testing:

Yesterday, the province recorded a record number of tests- with 4059 completed in a 24-hour period. Focused testing and screening, conducted at hotspots, or in pockets of infection are key in our fight to flatten the curve and to stop the spread. This cannot however be achieved through testing alone, and requires the buy in and help of everyone in society.

It is still necessary for people to stay home in line with the regulation four guidelines, to wash their hands and to practice social distancing.

Level four lockdown:

Tomorrow, many more residents will be returning to work for the first time since the start of the lockdown. We urge those returning to work and businesses that will be re-opening to make hygiene and safety their number one priority. The use of cloth masks is mandatory and social distancing must be observed. The Western Cape Departments of Health, Economic Opportunities and Agriculture are all currently working on developing protocols for various sectors, which will be communicated with them soon.

Businesses looking for support and advice on the level four lockdown regulations and what they mean for them, can email supportbusiness@wesgro.co.za.

2 May 2020

As of 1pm on 2 May, the Western Cape has recorded 2783 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 98

Further statistical data, including recoveries by sub-district, can be accessed on the data dashboard available at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus

The Western Cape has recorded an additional four COVID-19 deaths-bringing the total number of deaths from the virus in the province to 52. We send our condolences to those who have lost their loved ones.

Testing and screening:

The Western Cape has now conducted nearly 40 000 tests, with 15 660 of these over the past week as we continue to ramp up our testing efforts to actively seek out cases and isolate or quarantine their contacts.

The province has also now rigorously screened over 250 000 people in the past month- with community screening and testing set to continue.

The Western Cape Government has adopted a much more rigorous approach toward actively locating cases, tracking and tracing contacts and conducting targeted screening and testing in identified clusters. Epidemiological evidence tells us where the cluster transmissions are taking place, and this is where we relentlessly train our focus with both screening and testing.

This active case finding approach strategy means the Western Cape has a higher success rate in locating and fighting the ‘bushfires’.

Proposal to commemorate lives lost and honour healthcare workers:

Earlier this week, I wrote to President Cyril Ramaphosa with a request to honor and commemorate the lives lost in our country as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic. For those who lose loved ones during this time, the ability to bid a proper farewell is limited. We would also like to encourage a further expression of support for our health service professionals working on the front line.

We have therefore requested that President Ramaphosa allow for all flags at national key points be flown at half-mast every Wednesday from sunrise to sunset. Once approved, each province could encourage municipalities to follow suit.

This is a simple way to express our solidarity with those who have lost loved ones, and those who are working hard on the frontlines, in line with our ethos as a caring government.

I hope that the President will view our proposal favorably.

Level four lockdown:

The country has been in level four lockdown since yesterday, and we thank those who are complying with the new regulations. We have however seen increased numbers of people congregating at places like shopping malls and in public areas for exercise. It is important to remember that the lockdown remains in place for a reason- we need to flatten the curve and ensure we stop the spread. It is important that residents only leave their homes when they need to- visits to malls and shops should be limited and social distancing must always be a priority.

Cloth masks are compulsory when leaving home- whether you are going for a run, going to the shop or going to collect a social grant.

We recommend only sending the healthiest family member to the shops to reduce the numbers of people out in public, and to minimize risk for the vulnerable.

Shopping should be done efficiently as possible, and customers should avoid picking up and putting down items on the shelves.

In the coming days, social grant payments will once again be made and we request that where possible, those residents who are not receiving grants, avoid shops and shopping centres during this time. This will help to reduce numbers out in public so that we do not put our elderly and vulnerable at risk while they are collecting grants.

The golden rules of hygiene always apply. These include handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, wearing a clean cloth mask, avoiding touching the face and removing masks by the straps and cleaning hands before and after this is done. Cough and sneeze into your arm or into a tissue and if you are sick, stay at home and call the hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice on what to do next.

In a bid to reduce congestion during the exercise hours, we will be writing to the national government to request an additional afternoon exercise session. This will also help to relieve congestion caused by the fact that the sun currently only rises after 7am in the Western Cape and will allow those who are at work in the mornings, to still exercise later in the day.

1 May 2020

Earlier this week, Premier Alan Winde met with the opposition leaders of the political parties represented in the Western Cape Legislature.

The purpose of the meeting – which was attended by Members Cameron Dugmore (ANC), Brett Herron (GOOD), Melikhaya Xego (EFF), Peter Marais (FF+), and Ferlon Christians (ACDP) – was aimed at knowledge sharing on the work of government in responding to COVID-19, providing an opportunity to make proposals and building cross-party cooperation in the fight against this global pandemic.

A key topic of discussion included the need for all political parties in the province to encourage their constituents to take responsibility for stopping the spread. This includes following good hygiene practices at all times, and obeying the regulations of the lockdown level we’re in. It was noted by many leaders that they had witnessed transgressions in communities, particularly in areas such as Du Noon, Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, Langa and Witzenberg, and that these needed to be addressed through greater communication and enforcement.

Issues were also raised around ensuring the fair and rightful distribution of food parcels to those most vulnerable. In this respect, the Premier assured the members that no councilors from any political party were mandated to be involved in the distribution of Western Cape Government-funded food parcels, and that NGOs had been brought on board to support the professional administration of this humanitarian support.

It was proposed that every effort should be made to ensure co-ordination and cooperation between DSD in the province and SASSA Western Cape. This could help ensure that there was no double dipping. The Premier responded that efforts in this regard had been made through a mapping exercise.

The Premier reiterated that it was in fact the mandate of the national government SASSA to provide social relief, and that the province had stepped in with limited emergency funding to address the dire need of people for nutrition.

A proposal was made by the leader of the opposition that a joint provincial command on food security be established and that all political parties be represented at this level, whilst not being operationally involved.

It was agreed that the Premier would engage the Western Cape Minister of Social Development about having a regular meeting with the leaders on the food parcel distribution programme.

Further queries were raised regarding the higher number of cases in the Western Cape than in other provinces, which Premier Winde explained was due to the much more rigorous approach of the Western Cape Government toward actively locating cases, tracking and tracing contacts and conducting widespread screening and testing in identified clusters. In essence, the Western Cape has a far higher success rate in locating and fighting the ‘bushfires’.

Premier Winde noted that due to the nature of the virus, we will see a dramatic increase in cases in the coming months – that is unavoidable -and that the Health Department was preparing for this through the addition of extra facilities and beds.

The importance of the religious fraternity was raised as a strong avenue for communication with residents, both to receive concerns, as well as to share information from government. Premier Winde indicated that Cabinet had appointed a cluster of Ministers, led by Minister Ivan Meyer, to regularly engage with religious leaders.

A final discussion was held on the economy, and the effects of the lockdown on SMMEs and those in the arts. Joint concern amongst the Premier and all members was expressed at the potential for many businesses to go under. While reiterating that the lion’s share of the business support grant programmes fell under the domain of the national government, Premier Winde undertook to investigate further mechanisms to help our SMMEs to navigate through this time.

The meeting agreed that every effort should be made to ensure that employers complied with the lockdown regulations and also that they be supported in efforts to make workplaces safe.

It was agreed that the meeting was of value, and that the Premier and Leaders of the Opposition would meet weekly going forward to ensure that we build on the base of cooperation and open dialogue which has  been established, and that Premier Winde would encourage district and local municipalities to have similar regular engagements. Some districts are already doing so.

The fight against coronavirus is all of our fight, and we all need to do our part, in our communities and in our communications with our constituents, to ensure we build the responsible behaviour we need to stop the spread.

1 May 2020

As of 1pm on 1 May, the Western Cape has recorded 2536 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 112

Data is available on the Western Cape Government’s dashboard which can be accessed at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus.

The Western Cape has recorded another two deaths, bringing the provincial total to 48. We send our condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased at this difficult time.

Level 4 lockdown:

Today, to mark Workers’ Day, I went to visit a clothing retail store, which, under the new regulations is allowed to sell winter clothes and blankets. We were able to see the measures in place to protect staff, which included the wearing of masks, and physical distancing protocols in place. The store also had strict restrictions in place on how many people could enter at one time. As part of the new normal, this is how businesses will need to operate in order to ensure that opening our economy does not open us up to further risk of infection.

Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier said: “We firmly believe that if done responsibly, the economy in the Western Cape can open up while preventing the spread of COVID-19. We are committed to supporting business in the Western Cape through this crisis. That is why we are finalizing a set of guidelines for business, informed by the Department of Health. We are also actively working to unpack the regulations so that we can advise businesses if they are able to operate under level 4. And finally, we will be providing guidance to businesses on what to do if a staff member displays symptoms or tests positive.”

Exercise hours leading to increased congestion:

Today was the first day of level four lockdown in South Africa. Many residents in the Western Cape, just like the rest of the country, took up the opportunity to exercise in line with these new regulations promulgated by the National Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. These regulations allow residents to exercise within a 5km radius of their homes between 6 am and 9 am.

In many of the country’s high density cities, abiding by these regulations during a very set-time has resulted in high levels of congregation in public spaces.

This is the unfortunate result of regulations which I am afraid were not thought through and regrettably lack common sense.

The medical and scientific reason for the lockdown has been to limit gathering, so as to slow the spread of Covid-19. By forcing residents to only exercise during a very set-time period, we are forcing congregation.

Furthermore, little consideration was given to the fact that sunrise is later in the Western Cape as we approach winter, therefore providing an even smaller window of time for a large number of people to exercise in line with the new regulations.

We need a common-sense approach in our response to Covid-19. The Western Cape Government will therefore petition the National Minister to provide for additional times for exercise during daylight hours, so that we can drastically reduce volumes of people exercising at any one point.

We have seen from the 22 000 submissions to the national government on the issue of exercise, and the enthusiastic response by people around the country, that this opportunity is valued and appreciated.

Cardiovascular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, which also has a positive impact on lung health. We should encourage healthy lifestyle choices and allow residents of the Western Cape to take responsibility for themselves by practicing social distancing and wearing their masks while exercising.

My request to all our residents is to please do everything possible to avoid any gathering whatsoever. You must keep your distance from others. You must exercise alone. You must wear a cloth mask, and be sure to follow the golden rules of hygiene at all times. If you are not feeling well, you must not leave your home at all. This is important. Please first call the Provincial Hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice on what you should do next.

Workers’ Day Message:

Today, we send our appreciation to all of those workers who have been on the frontline during this pandemic.

This pandemic has had a major impact on the global workforce and we must also remember the economic hardship and uncertainty that many workers face at this time.

A number of workers will have started work again today, or will do so in the coming days. With more people moving around, there is increased risk and we remind everyone that cloth masks are compulsory and that good hygiene, and keeping physical distance is critical in helping to stop the spread.

29 April 2020

As of 17h00 on 28 April, the Western Cape has recorded 1935 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infection.

Sub Districts Cape Town Metro:

Sub Districts Non-Metro:

Unallocated: 29

Data notes:

*Going forward, the data will be reported as at 17h00 on the previous day, rather than at midnight in order to allow more time to prepare the daily reports.

Three cases previously allocated to Swartland have been reallocated due to updated address data.

The Western Cape has recorded another three deaths- two men, aged 78 and 67, and a 79-year old woman- all with underlying illnesses. This brings the total number of deaths in the province to 38. We send our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased at this difficult time.

Community testing and screening:

Our community screening and testing initiative continues this week- with testing in areas across the metro and in our non-metro regions. In total, we have screened nearly 200 000 people- and tested over 7000 of these.

Our screening and testing follows an active case finding approach, where we rigorously follow the pockets of infections within communities.

Community screening helps us to identify where infections may be prevalent, and to test, isolate and quarantine as necessary.

Witzenberg update:

Cabinet today received a full presentation the co-ordinated response to COVID-19 infections in the Witzenberg region. The response included an overview of screening and testing conducted to date, updates on engagements with businesses and farmers in the area as well as planned responses in the transport space.

The Departments of Agriculture and Health are currently engaging with the industry in order to develop guidelines for screening and testing on farms and have already advised on protocol for the transportation of agri-workers.

Over 35 000 masks have also been distributed to farm workers in the region, with the assistance of AgriWC and AFASA.

Education:

The Department of Basic Education today made a presentation to national Parliament containing tentative dates for the reopening of schools. These dates are not definite and do not constitute an official announcement.

This has caused some confusion and concern. Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga is expected to make announcements tomorrow and we await her comments for further clarity.

CTICC temporary hospital:

Earlier today, we announced that we will be turning the CTICC into a temporary COIVD-19 hospital, with over 800 acute beds, as part of our preparedness planning. Work will now begin to fit the site, which is expected to open in June. More details on this will be announced tomorrow.

29 April 2020

The Western Cape has surpassed other provinces in terms of positive cases of COVID-19 but this is a natural result of the extremely rigorous testing approach that the province is undertaking.

Screening and testing teams are deployed based on data which actively identifies the hotspots of infections within communities. The Western Cape Government identifies these hotspots whenever a Covid-19 case has been confirmed and the rigorous contact tracing teams then track their previous movements and contacts.

The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, Anton Bredell says the provincial and regional disaster management centres continue to coordinate all operations on a 24/7 basis.

“A major focus outside of the health sector, remains ongoing humanitarian and feeding initiatives to assist vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Provincial Department of Local Government has allocated additional funding of R16.2 million to various municipalities in the Western Cape with a focus on those municipalities most at need.

“Our municipalities are already providing much needed relief in various forms, including soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food parcels. This allocation will assist them in continuing to do so. The funds have been transferred directly to the municipal accounts.”

Some of the work being done in municipalities across the province:

• Knysna Municipality provided over 1 500 food parcels to the most vulnerable members of the community over the weekend of 24-26 April.
•  In Stellenbosch Community screening and testing is being done in Kayamandi, Cloetesville and Klapmuts and progressing well. Increased road blocks and patrols by SAPS are helping to ensure lockdown regulations are adhered to. Key public spaces continue to be cleaned and sanitised.
•  Bitou municipality is doing screenings in Kranshoek and Wittedrift. Food relief efforts continue as well as loudhailing in vulnerable communities to keep communities informed.
• Mossel Bay Municipality continues with sanitising of public spaces as well as installing water tanks for additional resources in vulnerable communities.
• Hessequa municipality continues to sanitise and disinfect public facilities (including courts), as well as public toilets in informal settlements on a daily basis.
• Community Screening and Testing continues in various towns across the West Coast region of the Western Cape as the West Coast District Municipality in partnership with local municipalities continues to work towards a safer and more hygienic environment. WCDM Fire Services is assisting the South African Police Services by sanitizing the reception areas and holding cells of police stations across the West Coast District.
• The City of Cape Town has decided to re-open 19 strategically positioned ablution facilities across the metropole. This will be done in close cooperation and consultation with the City’s Health and Social Development Departments. The City’s Health Department and its Metro Health Services partners have conducted 70 310 screenings and 5 767 tests in the metropole. The City is currently reprioritising Ward Allocations Budgets to unlock funds to assist struggling residents with food and sustenance provision. The City’s food relief programme will be rolled through all 24 Sub councils and recognised NGOs as soon as the budget reprioritisation is completed.

Bredell has urged all citizens with questions or concerns to visit the provincial website: www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus or to get in touch with their local municipalities for assistance.

“If you have flu-like symptoms, and may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, please contact the provincial hotline on 021 928 4102 for advice on what to do next.”

ENDS.

James-Brent Styan

Spokesperson to the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning

Western Cape Government

9th Floor, Utilitas Building, 1 Dorp Street, Cape Town, South Africa

Telephone: +27 21 483 2820 / Mobile: +27 84 5831670 / E-mail: james-brent.styan@westerncape.gov.za

29 April 2020

Today, the Western Cape Cabinet agreed to use the CTICC as a temporary COVID-19 hospital, creating the capacity for us to care for an additional 800 people at the peak of the pandemic.

Globally, we have seen healthcare resources being placed under severe pressure as a result of COVID-19.

The Western Cape’s scenario planning has predicted a shortfall of 1000 acute beds in the province at the peak of the pandemic. The use of the CTICC will allow us to make up the majority of this shortfall- and allow us to render care to those who need it.

We intend to make up the remainder of the shortfall with temporary beds in other facilities, in appropriate geographic locations.

Since it opened its doors, the CTICC has been an important part of the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape- contributing to the travel and events economy and creating thousands of jobs. It has hosted world leaders and celebrations. Its use as a hospital to care for hundreds of ill people during this global pandemic is its most significant contribution to our region yet.

The agreement allows the Western Cape Government to make use of the CTICC 1 building immediately up until 7 September, with an option to extend this on a month-to-month basis until the end of the year.

The CTICC has agreed to waive the hire cost of the venue, as part of its contribution to the fight against coronavirus. The temporary infrastructure build, operating and catering costs for the initial hire period will total approximately R47 million.

This amount excludes the costs that the Department of Health will incur in providing clinical equipment, oxygen, medication and temporary staff for the temporary hospital.

The inter-mediate care beds will cater for patients, presenting with milder clinical signs who need hospitalization and treatment including administration of oxygen. The CTICC will not provide for care for patients with more severe clinical signs, which will require intensive care treatment.

Security at the site will be provided by the CTICC and augmented by the City of Cape Town.

The site will be fitted out to be ready by the first week of June, well before the expected peak when these beds will be required.

The comprehensive layout of all the services which will be made available on site – including the beds, showers, nursing stations, support stations, physio stations, and bulk oxygen storage tank spaces, amongst others, – has already been prepared and as of today, is signed off for execution.

Cape Town Mayor, Dan Plato said: “The City of Cape Town and Western Cape Government are working together to ensure a proactive and effective response to the pandemic. Due to the identified shortfall of hospital beds, we need to make use of the available resources at our disposal to adequately address the outbreak and to treat patients on a large-scale. This facility is well-placed with the necessary infrastructure to easily allow the site to be used as a temporary hospital.”

Western Cape Minister of Health, Nomafrench Mbombo said “Today’s announcement comes in the wake of us tabling our scenario planning strategy where we announced the anticipated bed shortfall in the province. The CTICC will function as an intermediate care facility, providing about 800 beds, showing that the province is working hard to effectively deal with this pandemic.”

Taubie Motlhabane, CEO of the CTICC said: “During these extraordinary times, we welcome the opportunity for the CTICC to be part of the solution. The conversion of CTICC 1 into a temporary COVID-19 hospital facility will add to the resources needed in our healthcare system to fight this pandemic. We are proud to be part of the team.”

The Western Cape Government has been working around the clock to prepare for the peak of the virus in the province. This hospital, together with 18 temporary testing and triage sites across the province, and a number of already operational quarantine and isolation sites, are all part of a focused response to ensure that we are able to provide care at a time when it is most needed.

I would like to thank the CTICC and the City of Cape Town, who is a joint shareholder in the CTICC with the Western Cape Government, for coming on board and responding to this urgent need. The Department of Transport and Public Works, under Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela has been working tirelessly since March to ensure that this hospital will be realized in time.

The fitting out of the site will begin immediately and we intend to open the hospital by June. We will continue to update the public on this initiative.

Members of the media will have an opportunity to ask further questions regarding this project during a digicon which will take place tomorrow afternoon. Details will be shared soon.

29 April 2020

I’ve written to the National Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, to seek clarity about whether Human Settlements construction projects are covered by the levels five and four of the listed services, as we are of the view that it should. The clarity is critical, to ensure we are all on the same page.

The draft framework, which details the staggered lifting of lockdown restrictions, the Construction and related services (including tradespeople), “civil engineering for public works projects (including water, energy and sanitation)” and “critical public works construction” are included under level five; and then “other public works civil engineering projects” is added under level four.

After the President’s announcement that lockdown regulations will on 1 May 2019 be relaxed from level 5 to level 4 and where certain sectors in the economy would be allowed to operate, the Western Cape Government (WCG) made submissions to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), including a request that the construction industry be allowed to operate.

There’s an urgent need from the entire WCG to re-commence with construction, as it will enable us to, at the very least, assist the most vulnerable, which is the elderly, disabled and backyard dwellers.

Notwithstanding the lockdown regulations and our collective effort to ensure we stop the spread of COVID-19, while also taking the social, health and economic impacts into consideration, we’ve proposed the following:

1. The consideration of the re-activation of certain construction sites during lockdown period, which include Greenfields sites and portions of construction sites which have not yet been occupied by households.
2. Allowing low density construction sites to operate, where social distancing and other public health practices can be enforced.
3. Allowing service providers who are involved in the planning, costing and design of infrastructure projects and who are mainly office-bound to be considered for activation in the lockdown period.

The return of the Human Settlement Construction is critical if we are to swiftly, as part of our Rapid Informal Settlement Support and Upgrade Programme (RISSUP), complete the erection of our Transitional Residential Units (TRU’s) in the Permanent Residential Areas (PRA’s). These PRA’s will be established on pieces of land in DuNoon and the Greater Kosovo areas, so that the informal settlements in these areas can be re-blocked.

We will also be in a better position as a department to conclude critical work on some of our units that are close to completion. This will ensure that those who are so desperately in need of a housing opportunity and that’s patiently been waiting, is afforded the opportunity to move into their brand-new homes.

As the Western Cape Government, we remain committed to accelerating human settlement delivery, while promoting social inclusion through the development of integrated, resilient, safe and sustainable human settlements in an open opportunity society.

Media Enquiries:

Marcellino Martin

Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers

Marcellino.martin@westerncape.gov.za

021 483 3397 (o) / 082 721 3362 (m)

ECONOMIC CLUSTER MINISTERS

28 APRIL 2020

INTRODUCTION

The President announced a National Lockdown on 23 March, a difficult decision – in whose absence the health, social and economic consequences would have been far worse today.

The declaration enabled our nation to have an integrated and coordinated response to deal with the spread of the Corona virus, and set into motion our disaster management mechanism focusing on preventing and reducing the outbreak of the virus.

Government has accordingly decided that beyond Thursday 30 April, we should begin a gradual and phased recovery of economic activity, which will be implemented through a deliberate and cautious approach to the easing of current lockdown restrictions associated with the current level 5 classification as explained by the President on 23 April 2020.

In undertaking the Risk Adjusted Approach, we have sequenced and phased in key sectors and priority areas with a view to deepening the fight against COVID-19 whilst rebuilding our economy.

The phased in approach will affect key economic sectors and drivers as well as promote human development and wellbeing.   It had been expected that in some cases, a sector would not be able to return to full production during Level 4 or even at lower levels while the risk of infection remains.

REBUILIDING OUR ECONOMIC SECTORS
If government does not coordinate the response, there is a risk of more job losses and the contracting of the economy to unprecedented levels and it is in that context that current funding or disaster response through reallocation, reprioritisation and emergency funds must also be seen.

This plan spans over six to eight months, because we believe that the curve peak will probably arrive in September 2020.

FISCAL MEASURES
Following the President’s address on 21 April 2020, the National Treasury has issued second set of measures aimed at assisting individuals and businesses through the economic hardships brought by the pandemic.

These measures consist of fiscal and support instruments to help our economy overcome the severe impact on production, markets, trade and employement. The interventions include:

• Skills development levy holiday.
• Fast-tracking of value-added tax (VAT) refunds.
• Three-month deferral for filing and first payment of carbon tax liabilities.
• A deferral for the payment of excise taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products.
• An increase in the expanded employment tax incentive amount:
• An increase in the proportion of tax to be deferred and in the gross income threshold for automatic tax deferrals
• Increasing the deduction available for donations to the Solidarity Fund
• Adjusting pay-as-you-earn for donations made through the employer
• Expanding access to living annuity funds
• Further support for firms will come from a R200 billion loan scheme for small and medium-sized businesses. The National Treasury is finalizing the details and should be ready by the end of this week as indicated by the Minister of Finance last week.

ON THE MINING SECTOR
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has issued a directive to all mining operations to ensure safe start-up procedures as the sector prepares to ramp up to 50% of capacity. The directive is issued to ensure compliance with Section 5(1) of the Mine Health and Safety Act (Act No. 29 of 1996), as amended, which requires that every employer must as far as reasonably practicable, provide and maintain a safe working environment.

These measures, in line with the latest disaster management regulations, should include:

– Rigorous screening of all employees, including contractors, prior to accessing the mine;
– Testing of employees with symptoms of Covid-19;
– Adequate social distancing;
– Provision of quarantine facilities for employees showing signs of COVID-19;
– Establishment and maintenance of a personal hygiene programme; and
– Provision of appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including facemasks.

The direction also encourages employers to systematically phase in workers at the various mines. Start-up procedures must be developed in consultation with organized labour, which will be submitted to the department proir to ramping up operations.

TOURISM SECTOR
There is no part of   the tourism industry globally that is not impacted negatively because of COVID-19. Travel bans, airline groundings, heightened restrictions to movement not only across borders, but also within our country has meant that tourism related activities are non-existent.

As previously reported, and as part of government’s interventions to mitigate the effects of COVID-19; the Department of Tourism opened an application portal for the COVID-19 R200 million Tourism Relief Fund. However, it is a matter of public knowledge that the Department was served with Court papers by both Afriforum and Solidarity in an attempt to set aside the scheme on grounds of its transformational characteristics as it upholds the Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Act. In respect of the Court, whilst businesses were still able to apply, the department has kept the processing of applications on hold.

The department will be guided by the outcome of the court but stands ready to support the businesses in distress. Thus far there is over 10 thousand applications
We have commenced work with global, continental and national stakeholders to develop a post covid tourism recovery strategy.   Suffice at this stage to say that the industry will be focusing on three phases: survival, recovery and then prosperity.

LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT: COVID-19 RELEIF BENEFITS TO WORKERS
Government calls on employers to apply for the Covid-19 benefits through the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme on behalf of their employees.  To date, the UIF has received just over 103 thousand applications from employers representing about 1,75 million employees. In total, the UIF has over 1, 8 million employers registered on its database representing more than 8-million workers. As of today, the cumulative amount paid since April 27 is R3,3 billion.
Of the received applications, the UIF has processed 59 thousand employers applications which means that more 862 thousand employees will receive their benefit.  About 10 thousand applications could not be processed due to errors and the affected companies have been notified to correct their applications and resubmit. Some of the errors identified relate to incorrect banking details, making it impossible for payments to be processed.

The UIF is working around the clock to meet the extraordinary volumes of requests for assistance presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. The UIF call centre which initially had 75 agents, has increased its capacity and now has 400 agents operating the toll-free number (0800 030 007). More call centre agents will be added should the need arise.

The Department of Employment and Labour has COVID-19 guidelines to assist South African businesses.

The guidelines will help employers identify risk levels in the workplace and to determine what appropriate control measures to implement. It focuses on the Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, Safe Work Practices and Personal Protective Equipment. It includes:
• Installing high-efficiency air filters and increasing ventilation rates in the work environment;
• Encouraging sick workers to stay at home, minimising contact among workers, clients and customers by replacing face-to-face meetings with virtual communications;
• Minimising the number of workers on-site at any given time through rotation or shift work and discontinuing nonessential travel;
• Developing emergency communications plans, including a task team for answering workers’ concerns and internet-based communications;
• Provide personal hygiene resources such as no-touch refuse bins, hand soap, alcohol-based hand rubs, disinfectants, and disposable towels; and
• Provide gloves, goggles, face shields, facemasks, gowns, aprons, coats, overalls, hair and shoe covers and respiratory protection when appropriate.

In the period since the issuing of the guidelines, a clear picture has emerged about COVID19 and the nature of hazards and precautions in the work places. That should be taken to minimize the risks. To this end the department working with social partners at NEDLAC has developed OHS direction, the purpose of which is to stipulate measures that must be taken by employers in order to protect the health and safety of workers and the members of the public who enter the workplaces or are likely to be exposed to their activities.

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Since COVID-19 relief measures were announce, R530 million was set aside to support SMMEs and the Department of Small Business Development announced the SMME relief scheme to support payroll, rental and utilities over three months. To date the scheme has approved over R235 million, protecting over 11 thousand jobs. The Spaza shop support scheme which was launched about a week ago has already received over 104 applications with 88 already approved.

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR A SUSTAINED RISK ADJUSTED APPROACH
Having received inputs on the Risk Adjusted Approach, government will consider them finalizing the Directions for the various sector and there will be a follow up media briefing once the regulations are published.