Industries urged to gear up for the return of workers
About 1.5 million more South Africans will, from 1 May, return to work as government begins to lift a fraction of Covid-19 lockdown regulations.
GOVERNMENT has called on industries, that are set to return to work from May, to ensure that proper measures are in place to receive the returning workers, while working to limit the spread of Covid-19.
This comes as government gradually eases the economy back into activity as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. The regulations were introduced in March as government sought to counter the spread of the virus in the country.
About 5 350 South Africans have contracted the virus while about 103 have died.
Last week Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Ebrahim Patel presented the details of government’s Risk Adjusted Strategy which was subsequently put up for public comment and consultation.
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With over 70 000 submissions in just 48 hours, government announced new regulations that will see several industries return to work come 1 May.
“The purpose of the new approach is to align or balance the level of openness in the economy and social activities with the level of risk to enable us to restart or increase as many activities as possible given the health risk.
“The main point is to save lives and as many lives as possible and avoid the personal devastation of losing loved ones too early and when it is avoidable,” said Patel.
The easing of the lockdown follows the President’s announcement that the country will move to level 4 which means that the level of infections continues to remain high and health systems are not fully geared up to support influx of patients.
At the same time, level 4 allows for the easing of lockdown measures so that the economy can pick up speed.
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