Rebuilding SA’s economy

Government in a delicate balancing act to save lives and the livelihoods of South Africans

South Africa now finds itself at coronavirus Alert Level 3 – a phase that entails government intensifying efforts to rebuild the economy while still saving lives.

Under Level 3, many more economic activities are permitted, with about 8 million workers, among them most public servants returning to work.

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, announced Level 3's regulations recently. Various ministers have since expanded on these regulations.

“This risk level, thanks to the employ of the Risk Adjusted Strategy, allows us to maintain the delicate balancing act between saving the lives and livelihoods of South Africans,” explained Minister Dlamini Zuma.

Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel described Level 3 as the most significant reopening since the lockdown was implemented in March.

“If Level 5, and to some extent Level 4 were directed at detailed regulations and having as many people at home, Level 3 is based on most South Africans being at work. That is the big shift in Level 3, and the shift is therefore to a more flexible and collaborative set of arrangements, including regulations that enable businesses to do more,” he said.

Level 3 opens up the country's core productive sectors from manufacturing and mining to all productive services. It means that the country's steel mills, textile operations, chemical plants and plastic operations will operate at full capacity.

Under Level 3, electronics, furniture and other sectors will all be able to produce for both the South African market and for export to the rest of the world.

While under previous levels of lockdown, the retail sector was open under limited conditions, under the new regulations people can purchase appliances, electronic goods and all clothing items. Under Level 3:

Everyone who enters a workplace or public space or uses public transport must wear a face mask or home

made item that covers the nose and mouth.

The curfew has been lifted. Alcohol sales are allowed from Monday to Thursday, from 9am to 5pm, however on-site consumption is prohibited.

Time restrictions on all road-based public transport modes has been lifted, but capacity restrictions remain. Domestic workers can return to work.

Domestic air travel, for business purposes, is allowed. Exercise is allowed daily, between 6am and 6pm, but not in organised groups.

All wholesale and retail stores, including spaza shops, are open.

Religious gatherings are allowed.

International travel is allowed only under exceptional circumstances, including returning to work, study or a residence in South Africa or abroad.

The following is prohibited: The sale of tobacco, tobacco products, e-cigarettes and related products, except for export.

Social gatherings.

Visiting family and friends. Public training, fitness and recreation facilities, except for professional non-contact sports matches, without spectators.

Hairdressers and beauty services remain closed.

Travel between provinces, metropolitan areas, districts and hotspots, with the exception of those in possession of a permit to start work, attend a funeral, conduct essential services and Level 3 functions or move to a new residence. Travel between these areas is also allowed for those who need to care for an immediate family member, transport mortal remains, obtain medical treatment, return to their place of residence from a quarantine or isolation facility or attend school or an institution of higher learning. Members of Parliament may travel to perform oversight responsibilities. The eviction of tenants is still prohibited. However, provision has been made for a competent court to grant an eviction order if it's just and equitable.

Permits for movement

“The South African Police Service and other law enforcement agencies will continue to monitor local and inter-provincial movements, by holding roadblocks on national highways and rotating in suburbs, cities and towns,” said Police Minister Bheki Cele.

Children who go to school have to carry permits with them. These are issued by the head of the relevant school or educational institution. Adults who transport children to school must have a permit issued by the head of the school or educational institution that the child attends.

The regulations distinguish

between children who are moved within district and metropolitan boundaries, and those who need to cross these boundaries. To move a child legally from one residence to another, within the same district or metropolitan area, an adult must have a court order, parenting plan or permit issued by a magistrate. To move a child legally to a different district, metropolitan area or province, an adult must have a permit issued by a magistrate.

Borders still closed

South Africa's borders are still closed for travel, except for the evacuation of stranded and distressed South African citizens, the evacuation of foreign nationals by their respective foreign missions, the movement of medical treatment cases and the transportation of goods to and from neighbouring countries.

“Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend school will be allowed to enter our borders with a special permit, subject to all COVID-19 regulations on transport and health,” said Minister Cele.

No visa or permitting functions will be open to the public in South Africa or at missions abroad during Level 3.

Asylum and refugee services will remain closed. All asylum seeker permits lawfully issued, which have expired or will expire during the national state of disaster, have been extended to 31 July.

Non-urgent court cases postponed

Minister Cele said the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development will issue directives for court operations during Level 3.

“The department will prioritise urgent cases relating to corruption, sexual offences, gender-based violence and femicide, serious violent crimes, robbery, murder, assault and violation of COVID-19 regulations for speedy resolution.

“Where appropriate, the courts will use audio-visual communication, such as teleconferencing and videoconferencing to conclude urgent cases. All cases which are not urgent will be postponed.”

Tourism

Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said lockdown has been difficult for the tourism sector.

However, under Level 3, tourism activities that are supportive of the re-opening of the economy can re-open.

Level 3's regulations for the sector state:

Tour guides, tour operators, travel agents and tourism information officers can go back to work. The training of nature guides and other related services is permitted.

Public and private game farms can open for self-drive excursions. However, South African National Parks has announced that only its open-access parks will open. Hiking is allowed, but not in groups.

Accommodation activities are allowed for permitted services, but not leisure. Hunting is allowed.

Domestic commercial flights for business travel is allowed. Car rentals are allowed.. Long-distance public transport, including inter-provincial travel is allowed.

The following remain prohibited:

Conferences, events and entertainment.

Casinos.

Leisure travel.

The Minister said that government and the private sector have committed to working towards getting more tourism subsectors to open at Level 3.

Maritime sector

There are no changes to the regulations regarding the movement of ships.

“The ban on passenger vessels and cruise liners remains in place, and only vessels bringing in cargo are allowed to call on our ports. Movement of cargo from our sea-ports to its final destination is

allowed. Similarly, full operations for the port of Mossel Bay and port of Saldanha Bay for movement of cargo is permitted,” said Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula.

“Allowance will be made for South African-registered seafarers to embark and disembark ships with a mandatory quarantine for those returning,” he added.

Aviation sector

Limited domestic air travel for business purposes is allowed, subject to restrictions on the number of flights per day and authorisation for travel.The availability of port health services will also guide the scheduling of flights.

The resumption of domestic flights will be rolled out in three phases.“The initial period will serve as a trial period to stress test the system and measures to determine if they are holding up or not,” Minister Mbalula said.

In phase one, OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport and Lanseria International Airport can operate. Phase two will include Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Polokwane International Airport and Bram Fischer Airport; while phase three will include Kimberley Airport, Upington Airport, East London Airport, Umtata Airport and Port Elizabeth Airport.

Only passengers are allowed inside terminal buildings, temperature screening will be conducted at entrances and a mask has to be worn. All airports will have floor markings, to ensure social distancing. This is applicable at check-in counters, security checkpoints and airport lounges. All airport personnel will wear masks and all airline check-in agents will wear face shields. Protective screens will be installed on counters, which will be frequently sanitised.

Passengers are encouraged to use self-check-in to avoid queues. Boarding will be staggered and sectional boarding will be implemented to avoid unnecessary contact inside the aircraft. Full capacity is allowed inside the cabin.

There will be no catering or magazines on-board, and the last row is reserved for isolation of suspected cases.All aircrafts must be disinfected before entering into service and after each flight.

Loading capacity for all airport buses is limited to 70 percent, and they must be disinfected after off-loading. Drivers, baggage handlers and ground handlers must be fully equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment.

Aviation training organisations can conduct virtual and in contact aviation training to students who are South African citizens and to foreign students who are already in the country.

Rail

While the Gautrain resumed operations at the beginning of May and its airport service from 1 June, the Minister said that the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa is not ready to resume with the Metrorail commuter service.

A revised target date of 1 July has been set for the lines from Pretoria to Pienaarspoort, Cape Town to Simonstown, East London to Berlin and Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage. Long-distance trains remain prohibited.