WATCH:Phased reopening of South Africa’s economy.
South African consumers and businesses have continued to ease into the relaxed lockdown phase. This is after going through a strict lockdown period which was enforced on March 27, for an initial period of three weeks and later extended until the end of April.
From the 1st of May, government introduced the phased reopening of the economy by taking a “risk-adjusted” approach. Announcing details of this phased reopening of the economy, Trade and Industry minister Ebrahim Patel said primary sectors such as agriculture, forestry and mining have been prioritised. This has led to an additional 1.5 million workers to return to work. This means that around four of ten workers (40%) have been able to make their way back to work as part of this phased process.
He added that only 20% percent of the manufacturing sector will be allowed to operate under this level and focus will be placed on industries producing products which will be needed such as winter items.
Restaurants, takeaways and similar establishments have also been allowed to operate but only deliveries are permitted, with no-one allowed to visit a restaurant.
Permitted Retail and Service Operations and Personal Movement
Key factors that were considered when compiling the list of businesses to reopen included:
- Risk of transmission;
- The economic impact of the continued closure of that sector;
- The broader contribution of the sector to the economy;
- The socio-economic importance of the sector.
The easing of lockdown restrictions has come as a relief to many business enterprises, many of which are involved in manufacturing much needed essential products.
Speaking in an interview, Thomas Schaefer, Chairman and Managing Director, Volkswagen (VW) South Africa, expressed his observations.
“We jumped quite fast at the opportunity to assist here in SA with our engineering capacity and expertise especially with our 3D printing and scanning, but we are not selling these in South Africa without following normal channels, we gonna go through normal procedures”.
“It’s not suitable to produce ventilators on a large scale right now, you just have to set up a small-scale manufacturing line, but we have space in our factory to manufacture just as an emergency measure and as part of our social responsibility to the country”, said Thomas.
“We are in a capital intensive business, we need to get back to work, manufacturing and selling vehicles, we have extreme high production volumes of 160 000 vehicles and we need to supply our international markets, two thirds of our volumes depends on international market, if we lose on production demand volume, we may lose it forever”, emphasised Thomas.
Government has laid out measures employers must stick to, as they gradually reintroduce employees to the workplace. Briefing the country in a televised media briefing on back to work readiness ahead of the first working day, Minister of Employment and Labour, Thulas Nxesi said, “In returning to work it cannot be business as usual.”
“Employers must take measures to protect the health and safety of everyone in their workplace. This includes employees of contractors, self-employed person and volunteers,” said Nxesi.
“The process starts with a risk assessment in the workplace and a clear plan to implement the measures”. He emphasised.
Every business will have to adhere to detailed health and safety protocols to protect their employees, and workplace plans will be put in place to enable disease surveillance and prevent the spread of infection.
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