Dear GBS Stakeholder,
Thank you as always for taking the time to submit your weekly COVID Report. As you are aware, not only is this a mandatory requirement as part of the Disaster Management Act regulations, but the data is exceptionally important for the sector to have as a reference point around how industry is handling the pandemic and protocol adherence.
It is equally important to report whether you are managing all staff from home, on site or a hybrid solution.
Last week we asked the question around if your organisation / operation are currently or are planning on making vaccinations mandatory for all staff? There was over 90% response rate resulting in the below results;
Mandatory / compulsory vaccinations for staff: Unsure / Under discussion - 10%
Mandatory / Compulsory vaccinations for staff: Yes - 18%
Mandatory / Compulsory vaccinations for staff: No - 74%
This week we have asked if you are capturing or plan to individuals vaccination status. As always, the Link will close at 16h30 today, Thursday the 9th September 2021.
Reporting remains compulsory for ALL Operators. Should you have any queries, please do feel free to reach out to Lynn Davis - 083 200 8352.
While no official date and time has been set for the president’s address to the nation, stakeholders who met with Ramaphosa this week said a move to level 2 could come as early as Sunday evening (12 September).
The updated restrictions are expected to include:
Increase the number of people allowed at outdoor venues from 100 to 250, and from 50 to 100 for indoor venues;
The curfew is expected to be pushed back to between 23h00 and 04h00;
Fewer restrictions on the sale of alcohol.
The president is also expected to outline the government’s plans to introduce a Covid-19 vaccine passport as part of a push to achieve herd immunity in the country.
Business for South Africa (B4SA) conducted a webcast on 17 June 2020 to assist employers struggling with their UIF Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefit applications.
Click here to view the complete Responses to Written Queries at 17 June 2020 UIF Webcast
With regards to weekly reporting of your call centre/s. Please note that on the 11th June Minister Patel of the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) withdrew the Level 5 and 4 Disaster Management Act (57/2002): Directions regarding call centres providing Essential / Permitted Services, Gazette no. 43224 as well as Sector Directive where any organisation currently offering an Essential / Permitted Service through a call centre – addressing either international or domestic needs. These Directions were replaced with Government Gazette - No. 10177 / Regulations Regulation No. 43432 which as per below allows for the Global Business Service (GBS) Sector including call centres to continue operations subject to;
The Minister of the dtic has issued a withdrawl of Directions regarding Call Centres providing Essential Services published in Government Gazette No. 43224; Government Notice No. R. 459 on 9 April 2020. These Directions were issued specific to allow for essential and permitted call centre (GBS) services to operate under Levels 5 and 4.
The withdrawl has been issued subject to organisations continuing to adhere to the sector specific Health & Safety Protocols health protocols and to comply with sector specific guidelines.
In addition the dtic expects a weekly sector report administered via industry body BPESA, therefore all current and newly operational call centres under level 3 must report weekly via BPESA Click here for more information on weekly reporting
PLEASE HEED MANDATORY HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR LEVEL FOUR
Business for South Africa (B4SA) is urging employers to be meticulous in their implementation of the Level 4 restrictions that came to effect on 1 May 2020, as South Africa enters a new phase of its response to COVID-19 in terms of further regulations promulgated under the Disaster Management Act, 2002. The Regulations repeal and replace the previous lockdown regulations of 18 March 2020, as amended.
In an effort to clear up some confusion regarding the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) benefits, the Minister of Employment and Labour signed an amended Directive on 16 April and a Correction Notice on 20 April 2020 respectively.
R2W - Level 4 Return to Work
As you heard on Saturday the 25th of April, the Minister of Trade Industry and Competition (dtic) announced a proposal for which sectors would be able to return to work at Level 4. The Minister also communicated that the details of this would be worked on during the week and communicated on Thursday the 30th April.
We have been in shut down for four weeks tonight, with a further week of hard lock-down to go before conditions are eased for a risk-based return of economic activity.
Are you an essential service call centre delivering services during the COVID-19 lockdown?
Take a look at this compilation of FAQs with regards to the requirements for continued operations according to the Directive issued by the Departments of Health and Trade, Industry and Competition on 09 April 2020.
National Treasury has release a media statement regarding further tax measures to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Government recognises that the far-reaching lockdown measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus are having a significant impact on our economy. Most households and businesses have suffered a significant loss in their income, as they comply with the regulations giving effect to the National State of Disaster declared on 15 March 2020. Government is committed to helping households and businesses stay afloat during this difficult period, whilst it continues to limit the rate of infection, on a risk-based approach.
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