COVID-19 magnifies the consequences of ever yone’s actions
As South Africa eases back to work, a rise in coronavirus (COVID-19) infections is inevitable.
Government has the unenviable task of preventing as many deaths as possible while ensuring the best possible economic outcome for South Africa. We have chosen to do this through a risk-adjusted approach that will see economic activity gradually being unlocked in some sectors.
How successful this will be depends largely on the behavior of each and every person.
The move from Level 5 lockdown to Level 4 enabled around 1.5 million employees to return to work.
Although we have advised that people continue to work from home where possible, a huge number of the nation's workforce will leave the safety of their homes to rejoin the world of work.
This freedom comes with immense responsibility on the part of both employers and employees. Employers need to create an environment in which workers are protected and the risk of infections is limited, while employees must take responsibility for their safety by following all hygiene protocols.
With scores of public servants returning to work, government departments must lead by example and ensure all COVID-19 regulations are met. Offices must be sanitised, temperature screenings done, social distancing maintained, masks issued and worn, hand sanitiser supplied and visits from non-employees limited.
Getting South Africa back to work is a collective effort because if we do not act sensibly and with the greater good of the country in mind, we will either go back to a full lockdown or not progress to a lower level.
We will also suffer the heartache of having people we care about falling sick and possibly dying.
The Department of Employment and Labour has issued formal directives and regulations to minimise the potential of workers contracting COVID-19. As is the case with all other labour regulations, non-compliance can lead to a fine or even arrest.
How employers and employees react to suspected infections will have a huge impact on South Africa's COVID-19 story. People with symptoms must stay home. If already at work, it is essential that they immediately inform their employers of their symptoms so that the appropriate steps can be taken to isolate them.
These measures will help prevent a situation in which an entire workplace is forced to close.
During this pandemic, extraordinary actions are needed from ordinary people.
Public servants, now more than ever, must go above and beyond for their fellow South Africans.
We are living through historic times and each one of us has a role to play to ensure we can look back as a nation and be proud of the way we faced this immense adversity.