COVID-19 IN A NUTSHELL Implementation Framework to ensure that all our country Men and
Women and others across the world have access to healthy food whilst
ensuring the health and wellbeing of our Employees
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 015 307 2725
Cell: 082 831 9168
REVISION 0
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COVID-19 IN A NUTSHELL
Agri Limpopo, in partnership with you the farmer, stands ready and committed to ensure that
all our country men and women and others across the world have access to healthy food.
In terms of the ‘Lockdown’ Regulations gazetted in terms of the Disaster Management Act :
All citizens are ordered to be confined to their residence, unless strictly for the purpose of
providing an essential service’ (amongst other specified reasons ); and
All business and other entities are required to cease operations, save for those involved in
the manufacturing, supply or provision of an essential good or service.
Food products, animal food and chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in the
production of any agricultural product are classified as essential goods and/or services.
The Harvesting and storage activities essential to prevent the wastage of primary
agricultural goods and critical maintenance services which cannot be delayed for more than
21 days and are essential to resume operations after the lockdown are classified as an
essential service.
As a producer of food (an essential good) you, the farmer, are considered to be providing
an ‘essential service’.
In terms of the Regulations you are as the farmer (being the head of your
institution/enterprise) required to identify and designate which of your employees are
essential to the functioning of your farming operation. Only these persons (and you) are not
required to be in lockdown.
For these employees to travel freely between your farm and their places of residence you
are required to provide each employee with the requisite ‘Travel Permit’ as set out in the
regulations.
This manual is intended to empower to successfully comply with the Lockdown Regulations
as amended and the Basic Conditions of Employment Act.
Being classified as an essential service, brings with it an added responsibility of not only
producing food, but of also doing all that we can to ensure that our farm workers (our
partners in the production of food) remain in good health and Covid -19 (Corona) free. It
can’t be ‘business as usual’.
Bear in mind that the Regulations may be amended or refined from time to time. It is
incumbent upon us not to abuse the rights afforded to us and to act prudently and
responsibly at all times.
Minister Didiza has requested that as an industry we self-regulate our compliance with the
regulations as much as possible.
As Agri Limpopo, we urge you to comply with the provisions of the Regulations and this
manual for the good of the industry as a whole.
Piet Engelbrecht Deidre Carter
President CEO
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Q A. WHAT IS CLASSIFIED AS ESSENTIAL GOODS?
A 1. Food
(i) Any food product, including non-alcoholic beverages;
(ii) Animal food; and
(iii) Chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in the production of any
food product.
2. Cleaning and Hygiene Products
(i) Toilet Paper, sanitary pads, sanitary tampons, condoms;
(ii) Hand sanitiser, disinfectants, soap, alcohol for industrial use, household
cleaning products, and personal protective equipment; and
(iii) Chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in the production of any of
the above.
(iv) Products for the care of babies and toddlers
(v) Personal toiletries, including haircare, body and face washes, roll -ons,
deodorants, toothpaste
3. Medical:
(i) Medical and Hospital Supplies, equipment and personal protective equipment;
and
(ii) Chemicals, packaging and ancillary products used in the production of any of
the above.
4. Fuel, including coal and gas
5. Basic goods, including airtime and electricity.
Q B. WHAT ARE ESSENTIAL SERVICES?
A Categories of essential services are confined to the following services:
1. Medical, Health (including Mental Health), Laboratory and Medical services and
the National Institute for Communicable Diseases;
2. Disaster Management, Fire Prevention, Fire Fighting and Emergency services;
3. Financial services necessary to maintain the functioning of the banking and
payments environment, including the JSE and similar exchanges, as well as
Insurance services and medical scheme administration;
4. Production and sale of the goods listed in Category A, above;
5. Grocery stores, including spaza shops;
6. Electricity (including vital demand management services) , water, gas and fuel
production, supply and maintenance;
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7. Critical jobs for essential government services as determined by Head of National
or Provincial Departments in accordance with the guidance by the DPSA, including
Social Grant Payments;
8. Birth and death certificates, and replacement identifica tion documents;
9. Essential municipal services;
10. Care services and social relief of distress provided to older persons, mentally ill,
persons with disabilities, the sick, and children;
11. Funeral services, including mortuaries;
12. Wildlife Management, Anti -poaching, Animal Care and Veterinary services;
13. Newspaper, broadcasting and telecommunication infrastructure and services;
14. Production and sale of any chemicals, hygiene products, pharmaceuticals for the
medical or retail sector;
15. Cleaning, sanitation, sewerage, waste and refuse removal services;
16. Services related to the essential functioning of courts, judicial officers, the Master
of the High Court, Sheriffs and legal practitioners required for those services;
17. Essential SARS services defined by the Commissioner of SARS;
18. Police, peace officers, traffic officers, military medical personnel and soldiers,
correctional services officials and traffic management services;
19. Postal services and courier services related to transport of medical products;
20. Private security services;
21. Air-traffic Navigation, Civil Aviation Authority, Cargo Shipping and dockyard
services;
22. Gold, gold refinery, coal and essential mining;
23. Accommodation used for persons rendering essential services, quarantine,
isolation and the lockdown;
24. Production, manufacturing, supply, logistics, transport, delivery, critical
maintenance and repair in relation to the rendering of essential services including
components and equipment;
25. Transport services for persons rendering essential se rvices and goods, and
transportation of patients;
26. Services rendered by the Executive, members of Parliament, Members of the
Provincial Legislature, Members of Local Councils, the Judiciary, traditional
leaders and National Office Bearers. of Political Parties represented in Parliament;
27. Commissioners of the South African Human Rights Commission, Gend er
Commission, and the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights
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of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities, and the Public Protector and
Deputy Public Protector; and
28. Transport and logistics in respect of essential goods as set out in A above to
neighbouring countries.
29. Tow truck and vehicle recovery services;
30. Call centres necessary to provide health, safety, social support, governm ent and
financial services;
31. Harvesting and storage activities essential to prevent the wastage of primary
agricultural goods;
32. Implementation of payroll systems to the extent that such arrangement has not
been made for the lockdown, to ensure timeous payments to workers; and
33. Critical maintenance services which cannot be delayed for more than 21 days and
are essential to resume operations after the lockdown
Q 1. MUST I REGISTER AS AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE PROVIDER?
A 1.1 The Regulations do NOT require you to register. We do, however, propose that
you register as government seems intent on wanting to build a database of
‘essential service’ providers. Register by following the link
http://www.bizportal.gov.za/essential_service_apply.aspx
1.2 Registering on this system will on completion provide you with a CIPC Certificate
which might give comfort to business and employees if they get stopped by police
officers. It will also help government to better understand and better manage
essential business services during this time. The online portal is open, but
overloaded. The portal will remain open and businesses can contin ue to register
as and when they are able to do so
1.3 Trusts and Sole Proprietors providing essential services cannot currently register
on the system. Agri Limpopo has requested Agri SA to advise the Minister so that
this anomaly can be rectified.
1.4 Police in some areas of Limpopo are (wrongly so) insisting on this CIPC Certificate
1.5 PROCEDURE TO REGISTER ON CIPC
Q 2. MUST I PAY MY EMPLOYEES IF MY BUSINESS IS CLOSED DURING THE
LOCKDOWN?
A 2.1 If the employer can afford to pay the employee, it may decide to do so, and pay
her/his full remuneration or a portion thereof as a “lock down allowance” of sorts;
or grant the employee a loan to be recovered in due course; or claim from UIF
2.2 SEE UIF PROCEDURES
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Q 3. CAN I REQUEST EMPLOYEES TO TAKE ANNUAL LEAVE? WHAT DO I DO IF
THEY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH LEAVE OR IF THEY REFUSE TO TAKE LEAVE
DURING THE LOCKDOWN?
A 3.1 YES
3.2 It is permissible to require the employees to take (paid) annual leave. It is well-
established in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act that where an
employer and employee cannot agree on the time when the employee would take
leave, the employer may determine the time when the employee will take leave. It
is accordingly permissible for employers to require that employees take their
annual leave during the lockdown period. This is a sensible way to ensure that the
employee is paid during this time.
3.3 If they have no leave, the employer can decide to subsidise or otherwise clai m
from UIF
Q 4. CAN EMPLOYEES REFUSE TO WORK IF WE OFFER ESSENTIAL GOODS OR
SERVICES?
A 4.1 If employees do not want to come to work for fear of infection, then the
circumstances of the workplace must be taken into account before deciding on an
appropriate reaction. If the refusal to work is unreasonable, disciplinary action may
be considered but disciplinary steps should be a last resort and must be carefully
considered before implemented.
Q 5. SHOULD ALL EMPLOYEES COME TO WORK IF WE OFFER ESSENTIAL
GOODS OR SERVICES?
A 5.1 NO
5.2 During the lockdown there will be three categories of employees:
• employees in essential businesses or those in non -essential businesses who
perform essential functions, i.e. key persons, who would continue to work and
should continue to be paid;
• employees who are not in essential businesses but who can work remotely, and
who would accordingly continue to be paid; and
• employees who are not in essential businesses and who are not key persons
and who cannot work remotely.
Q 6. MUST I PAY ALL MY EMPLOYEES IF WE ON SKELETON STAFF OR ONLY
THOSE WORKING DURING THE LOCKDOWN?
A 6.1 NOT NECESSARILY, BUT EXERCISE CAUTION
There is no legal obligation to pay employees who are not working. The employer’s
obligation to pay arises from the employee’s ability and willingness to tender services.
During the national lockdown period, the employees cannot and may not work – not
because the employer requires that they do not work, but because of the lock down
order issued by government. (This situation is different from the case where the
employer requires the employee not to be at work because of a r easonable
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apprehension of harm in that the employee had been in contact with someone who
tested positive for Covid-19, or presents with flu-like symptoms. Here it is the employer
that requires the employee to be absent on the basis of the employer’s duty t o ensure
a safe and healthy work environment. In these circumstances, the absence should be
paid, unless agreed otherwise.)
As regards employees who cannot work during the lock -down period, of course, if the
employer can afford to pay the employee, it may decide to do so, and pay her/his full
remuneration or a portion thereof as a “lock down allowance” of sorts; or grant the
employee a loan to be recovered in due course.
It is also permissible to require the employees to take (paid) annual leave. It is wel l-
established in terms of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act that where an employer
and employee cannot agree on the time when the employee would take leave, the
employer may determine the time when the employee will take leave. It is accordingly
permissible for employers to require that employees take their annual leave during the
lockdown period. This is a sensible way to ensure that the employee is paid during this
time.
Q 7. CAN AN EMPLOYEE BRING THEIR CHILDREN TO WORK IF WE OFFER
ESSENTIAL GOODS OR SERVICES?
A 7.1 NO
7.2 11 B. (1)(a) of the Regulations state “For the period of lockdown -
(i) every person is confined to his or her place of residence , unless strictly
for the purpose of performing an essential service, obtaining an essential
good or service, collecting a social grant, or seeking emergency, life -saving,
or chronic medical attention;”
Q 8. WILL EMPLOYEES BE ALLOWED TO TRAVEL TO WORK IF WE OFFER AN
ESSENTIAL SERVICE / GOODS?
A 8.1 YES
8.2 Employees must carry an ID or Drivers Licence with them at all tim es
8.3 Employees must be in possession of a Travel Permit (see Annexure A)
8.4 Where a person rendering essential services is unable to travel to and from his or
her place of employment, the employer must make the necessary transport
arrangements: Provided that –
(a) Bus services, taxi services and e-hailing services shall not carry more than 50%
of the licensed capacity of the vehicle; and
(b) private vehicles shall not carry more than 60% of the licenced capacity; and
(c) all directions in respect of hygienic conditions and the limitation of exposure to
persons with COVID-19, are adhered to
Q 9. MAY EMPLOYEES TRAVEL TO WORK ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT IF WE OFFER
AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE / GOODS?
A 9.1 YES – BUT it is advised that you make arrangements with Taxi’s as Taxi and
Bus Ranks are closed
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9.2 Government Gazette 43157, section 5 stipulates
(1) All operators must ensure that public transport vehicles are sanitized before picking
up and after dropping off passengers.
(2) Operators must ensure that all public transport vehicles door and win dow handles,
armrest and handrails are sanitized before picking up and dropping off passengers.
3) Operators must ensure that all public transport vehicles are clean and tidy.
(4) All public transport operators must provide disinfection information mate rials and
procedures.
(5) All drivers must wear a mask.
(6) Any marshal who interacts with members of the public in public transport facility
should wear a mask.
(7) The sanitisers used to sanitise all public transport vehicles must have a minimum
of 60% alcohol content.
9.3 Government Gazette 43157, section 6 stipulates
(2) Transportation of passengers by buses is prohibited except when the bus is used
for purposes of fearing passengers rendering essential services.
(3) Public transport that shall be permitted to ferry essential services workers will
operate from 5H00 to 9H00 and again from 16H00 to 20H00
9.4 Government Gazette 43157, section 7
(1) No person is allowed to stand in a public transport vehicle.
(4) All public transport operators should put measures in place to adhere to social
distancing to curb the spread of the virus
Q 10. CAN WE TRANSPORT EMPLOYEES ON BAKKIES OR TRUCKS OR ANY
OTHER MOTOR VEHICLE IF WE OFFER AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE / GOODS?
A 10.1 The regulations state that “no more than 50% of the licensed capacity of the
vehicle is exceeded”. Thus, if a vehicle licence disk states 2 Occupant then that
vehicle may only have 1 occupant. Strictly interpreting the regulations no
passengers may be transported on the back of a Bakkie or Truck .
10.2 Agri SA has raised the matter with the Minister and we are hoping for an
amendment to the regulations.
Q 11. DOES THE EMPLOYER HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT
TRANSPORT IS SANITIZED
11.1 YES
11.2 Please ensure that the Driver of Public Transport follow the regulations set out
in Question 9
11.3 Please ensure that in the event of Private transport that the regulatio ns set out
in Q 9 is followed.
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Q 12. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO FOR STAFF THAT NEED TO GET TO WORK FOR AN
ESSENTIAL BUSINESS?
A 12.1 We suggest all businesses provide a CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT
LETTER to each staff member on an official company letterhead.
We recommend the letter includes the following details:
• that the employer is a designated business;
• the name,
• ID number and
• employee-number of the employee;
• the position of the employee;
• the relevant section and category of essential service that the business
qualifies under; and
• that the employee is required to travel to and from work in order to perform
the essential business.
12.2 Complete the TRAVEL PERMIT
12.3 The employee must carry the following at all times:
• ID or Drivers licence
• Employment Letter
• Travel Permit
12.4 In addition, employees should, where possible also carry:
• a copy of the proof of registration on the http://www.bizportal.gov.za CIPC
website, once you have received a copy of this cert ificate. See
PROCEDURE TO REGISTER
• a company identity card may be carried if, applicable.
Q 13. WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I INSTITUTE IN THE WORKPLACE IF WE
OFFER AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE / GOODS?
13.1 Ensure that ALL Employees complete the HEALTH QUESTIONAIRE daily when
reporting for duty.
13.2 If facilities are available employers can take employees' fever when they report
for duty as well as when the clock out. If an employee’s f ever is higher than
37.5, it is recommended that the employee concerned be sent home
immediately and contact the Covid-19 helpline (0800 029 999) or WhatsApp
line (0600 123 456) as soon as possible to report it.
13.3 Ensure Employees follow the Agri SA SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE
GUIDELINES below and display them clearly in the workplace. Communicate
this to everyone on the farm and make sure everyone understands the danger
of Covid-19.
13.4 Provide sufficient soap, clean water and hand sanitise r in all areas of work.
13.5 Ensure that surfaces are sanitised on a regular basis.
13.6 As a precaution, employers can take employees' fever every morning. If it is
higher than 37.5, it is recommended that the employee concerned be sent
home immediately and contact the Covid-19 helpline (0800 029 999) or
WhatsApp line (0600 123 456) as soon as possible to report it.
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Q 14. HOW WILL TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS BE MANAGED DURING THIS
PERIOD?
An essential business will be required to demonstrate that it is transporting a n
essential product or part of an essential service. A letter on a company letterhead
should explain why the transportation is part of an essential service, referring to the
relevant provision in the regulations.
Q 15. WILL I BE ABLE TO TRANSPORT GOODS ACROSS THE BORDER OR
THROUGH THE PORTS?
Yes, we expect that this will continue for essential products and services and the
ports are required to remain open.
Q 16. IF I CAN WORK FROM HOME, CAN I CONTINUE TO RUN MY BUSINESS?
We encourage people to cont inue to remain productive and work from home if this is
feasible provided that this does not require physical contact with non-residents or
impair the Covid19 response.
Q 17. CAN WE HAVE A WAIVER / REDUCTION OF PROPERTY RATES?
One of the categories of potential exemptions from property rates in terms of section
15 of the Local Government Municipal Property Rates Act of 2004 is owners of
property situated within an area affected by - (i) a disaster within the meaning of the
Disaster Management Act 2002 Act (ii) . A process will however have to be followed
to get such exemptions.
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Official Stamp of
Organisation
COMPANY OR PERSONAL LETTERHEAD
ANNEXURE C
FORM 1
PERMIT TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL SERVICE
Regulation 11B (3)
“Food products are defined as essential goods in terms of the final lockdown regulations. The agricultural sector is involved in the production of food. Essential services related to the production of food such as supply of inputs, technical and scientific support, maintenance, harvesting, transport of agricultural workers and goods, storage, processing, packaging, delivery, distribution and procurement of food products are also categorised as essential services.”
Please note that the person to whom the permit is issued must at all times carry a form of identification to be presented together with this permit. If no identification is presented the person to whom the permit is issued will have to return to his or her place of residence during the lockdown
EMPLOYER’S DETAILS
Full Name Surname
ID Number Contact Nr
Cell Number Tel Nr (W)
Tel Nr (H) Email
Physical Address
EMPLOYEE’S DETAILS
Full Name Surname
ID Number Occupation
Work Address
Work Hours From To
I, the undersigned, in my capacity as the Employer hereby declare that the Employee stipulated above is in our employ and forms part of essential services.
Signed at on this day of 2020
____________________________
[EMPLOYER NAME]
Position
Contact number
“The use of the Agri SA logo on this permit, which is prescribed in Annexure C, Form 1 of the Final Lockdown Regulations published in the Government Gazette on 25 March 2020, is intended for use by members of Agri SA and their enlisted members only and may not be used by anyone who is not a member of Agri SA or its affiliates. The logo of the relevant affiliate must also appear on the permit. Agri SA will not be responsible for the use of its logo by non-members.”
Agri SA Travel Permit to perform essential services REV 3
If you do not have a stamp, insert the name of your farm!
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ANNEXURE D
EMPLOYEE HEALTH QUESTIONAIRE
Each Employee to complete this form at the Start of every Shift
EMPLOYEE’S DETAILS
Full Name Surname
Company Nr Occupation
PLEASE TICK THE APPROPRIATE BOX
Do you have a cough?
Do you have a Cold?
Are you having Diarrhea?
Are you having a sore throat?
Are you having body aches?
Are you having headaches?
Do you have a fever?
Are you having difficulty breathing?
Are you experiencing fatigue?
Have you travelled during the last 14 days?
Have you been in contact with a person confirmed or suspected of having COVID-19?
Where testing is available, what is the Employee’s Temperature?
EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE DATE
Employee Health Monitoring Form 20200327 Rev 0
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
NO YES
YOUR LOGO
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COMPANY OR PERSONAL LETTERHEAD
ANNEXURE E
CONFIRMATION OF EMPLOYMENT
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
In terms of Annexure B, “Categorisation of essential goods and services during lockdown, Regulation 11A”,
as gazetted in Government Gazette 43148 on the 25 th of March 2020 and the subsequent amendment in
Government Gazette 43168 published on the 26 th of March 2020, COMPANY NAME is an essential goods
and services provider.
This letter serves to confirm that the following Person is an Employee of THE COMPANY.
NAME:
SURNAME:
ID NUMBER:
POSITION:
EMPLOYEE NR:
Should you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact :
CONTACT:
POSITION:
TEL NR:
Signed at on this day of 2020
____________________________
[EMPLOYER NAME]
Position
Contact number
“The use of the Agri Limpop’s logo is intended for use by members of Agri Limpopo and their enlisted members only and may not be used by anyone who is not a member of Agri Limpopo or its affiliates. The logo of the relevant affiliate must also appear on the permit. Agri SA will not be responsible for the use of its logo by non-members.” Agri Limpopo Confirmation of Employment Form REV 0
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PROCEDURE TO REGISTER ON CIPC WEBSITE AS AN ESSENTIAL SUPPLIER
1. Open http://www.bizportal.gov.za/
2. Select SERVICES
3. The following screen will appear
4. Select the RED Link – COVID-19 ESSENTIAL SERVICES
5. The following screen will appear
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6. Select NEW APPLICATION
7. The following screen will appear
8. Type in enterprise number
9. Select SEARCH
10. The following screen will appear
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11. Select Category
12. Does this business use a "trading as" name? If so, type in the name
13. How many employees are required to work during the lockdown?
14. Press continue
15. The following screen will appear
16. Complete the ID of contact person
17. Complete the first name of the contact person
18. Complete the surname of the contact person
19. Complete What is the email of the contact person
20. Complete What is the cell phone of the contact person
21. Select Continue
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22. It will take a few hours for the certificate to appear
23. After 12 hours select https://testar.cipc.co.za/
24. Type your enterprise number and press download
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