Level 4 Lockdown – Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel has provided an informative update on the businesses that will resume operations under the Level 4 lockdown as the economy reopens on 1 May.
The lockdown in its current form will end from 1 May, with the country heading to level 4 lockdown.
The COVID-19 lockdown will be eased from 1 May 2020 to “level 4 lockdown”, with certain industries allowed to reopen and certain activities allowed to take place.
Level 4 Lockdown restrictions
Certain restrictions will remain in place from 1 May under level 4, however, specifically:
- Travel between provinces will not be allowed, unless for work or funerals.
- People must remain at home unless they are going to work, buying food, or seeking medical attention.
- Exercise will be allowed, but gyms will not be allowed to open and organized sporting events cannot take place.
- No gatherings will be allowed, including religious and cultural. Weddings are not allowed.
- Cloth masks will be mandatory for all South Africans who leave their homes.
Level 4 Lockdown business to operate
Minister of Trade and Industry Ebrahim Patel said that under level 4, more businesses will be allowed to operate in the country.
The level of economic activity which will be allowed to take place is determined by how it will impact the spread of the virus, and how certain industries will be affected by remaining closed.
A curfew will also apply to certain businesses, and under level 4 this curfew is from 20:00 to 05:00.
Businesses which will be allowed to open under level 4, according to a government infographic, include:
- Wholesale and retail – Food, hygiene, cleaning, babycare, stationery, winter clothing, bedding, heating, medical supplies, fuel, coal, wood, gas, tobacco, hardware supplies for tradespeople and repairs, components for vehicles, chemicals and packaging for level 4 products.
- Manufacturing – Level 4 products and inputs, paper at 100%. Stationery, cement and construction material at 50%. Automotive manufacturing at 50%. Petroleum, smelters, refineries, and furnaces at 100%. Winter clothing, bedding, and heating at 50%. Inputs for essential services at 100%. Essential maintenance. All other manufacturing at 20%.
- Transport and logistics – Cargo for domestic and neighbouring countries, and essential goods. E-hailing and public transport under the curfew.
- Media – Online news, newspapers, and broadcasting. Production for local broadcasts.
- ICT – All telecommunications, ICT equipment, and airtime. Postal services and courier services for medical products and level 4 services.
- Services – Vehicle recovery, emergency car repairs. Emergency repair work by plumbers, electricians, roof work, locksmiths, glaziers.
- Agriculture and forestry – Food and export agriculture, essential fishing, harvesting, and storage. Flori-culture and forestry.
- Mining – 100% coal for Eskom, open-cast mining. 50% for other mining.
- Power and water – All electricity, gas, and water supply.
- Construction – Critical civil engineering and construction for public works and projects.
- Food service and accommodation – Isolation accommodation, food delivery from restaurants subject to curfew.
- Domestic workers – Live-in staff and support for level 4 services.
- Healthcare – All social work, care and relief. Funeral and cremation services. Veterinary and medical services, and sanitation, pest control, and sewerage/refuse removal. Recycling at 50%.
- Finance and business – If possible, work from home. Support for level 4 services, private security. Call centres and essential financial services under curfew. Payroll-related workers.
Level 4 Lockdown Rules for the workplace
Companies which have employees returning to their place of work must also ensure they do the following:
- Employees must be screened for symptoms and have their temperatures checked.
- Hand sanitizers must be used by all people entering the workplace.
- Social distancing must be observed.
Level 4 Lockdown Restrictions
The following restrictions will remain in place:
- No alcohol.
- No passenger air and sea travel.
No gyms, concerts, cinemas, and gatherings
Reopening of industries will however bring another headaches on how companies will manage contracts of employment. Industries which are restricted to limited capacities will see some of their workers laid off and some receiving half salaries. Bad news goes for foreign nationals employed in different industries as the Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni, encouraged employers to shun employing foreigners and take South Africans.