Covid-19: Small Business Development Minister outlines regulations for small businesses during Level 4

Minister of Small Business Development Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has outlined a number of regulations for small and micro-sized enterprises.

These regulations, published on 10 May, outline what small businesses need to do to operate legally during Level 4 of lockdown.

Below are some frequently asked questions about the different types of small businesses:

I have a small-scale bakery. What do I need in order to operate legally?

In order to comply with Level 4 lockdown regulations, a small-scale bakery and confectionary must possess a business license or permit to trade in accordance with the Business Act or a business license or trading permit which has been issued by the relevant municipality.

They must not sell goods that have been prohibited and they must not allow the business premises to be used as sleeping quarters.

I have a small-scale hardware store. What do I need in order to operate legally?

In order to comply with Level 4 lockdown regulations, the hardware store must possess a business license or permit to trade in accordance with the Business Act or a business license or trading permit which has been issued by the relevant municipality.

They must not sell sub-standard goods and must not allow the business premises to be used as a sleeping quarters.

I have a small restaurant or shisanyama. What do I need in order to operate legally?

In order to comply with Level 4 lockdown regulations, the restaurant or shisanyama must possess a business license or permit to trade in accordance with the Business Act or a business license or trading permit which has been issued by the relevant municipality.

They must not sell cooked food unless it is for home deliveries and the orders have been placed online or telephonically.

I am a tradesman or have an artisan business. What do I need in order to operate legally?

In order to comply with Level 4 lockdown regulations, the business must possess a business license or permit to trade in accordance with the Business Act.

In the case of a vehicle service centre, fitment centre or motor body repair workshop, if it does not already possess a business license or trading permit, it must apply for such a business license or trading permit with the relevant municipality.

I am a sole trader in clothing and textile. What do I need in order to operate legally?

Personal protective equipment (PPE) may not be fitted or tried on by customers before purchase. Traders within the clothing and textiles sector are prohibited from selling PPEs that have been fitted, tried on or returned by a customer.

They must ensure that the sizes are clearly marked before products are purchased and they must display notices that PPEs may not be fitted or tried on before purchase.

I own a cooperative. What do I need in order to operate legally?

Cooperatives must possess a valid and original certificate of registration as a cooperative, in order to trade.

Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).