Covid-19 lockdown: Ensure to apply for your essential services certification

All businesses that are allowed to provide essential services have to seek approval from the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) to trade during the period of lockdown.

Download the application form: Application to perform an essential service PDF

This was announced by DTIC Minister, Mr Ebrahim Patel. This is in terms of the regulations published yesterday by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Ms Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

Applications need to be made to the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) Bizportal website at www.bizportal.gov.za

Also read: Covid-19 Lockdown: Ministers pressed for answers

If approved, applicants will receive a certificate from the commission that allows them to continue trading. The Bizportal website will contain a menu icon listed as Essential Service Businesses through which an application can be made to the CIPC.

Also read: Covid-19: Schools could face no June holiday

According to the CTIC, the application will be a simple declaration requiring minimal registration details, the type of business/trade involved, what trading name, if any, is used and whether it meets the requirements contained in the essential services list. It will also require the applicant’s contact details and the number of employees who will be working during the lockdown period.

“The certificate can then be used as evidence to authorities requiring same that indeed the business has been given government permission to trade and that its employees are able to have unrestricted movement only in the course of that trade.”

Businesses that make false applications to the CIPC, and are not an essential service as per the government regulations, will face further action and criminal prosecution.

Downlaod the list of business closed to the public: Businesses closed to public

Download the list of business open during lockdown: Businesses to remain open

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