Covid-19 Lockdown Frequently Asked Questions - WRSA
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Covid-19 Lockdown Frequently Asked Questions
Covid-19 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Disclaimer: This document is a guideline of best practices and a living document. The
opinions expressed are in good faith and while every care has been taken in preparing
these answers to frequently asked questions, Agri SA makes no representations and gives
no warranties of whatever nature in respect of these responses, including but not limited
to the accuracy or completeness of any information, facts and/or opinions contained
therein. Agri SA, its affiliates, the directors, and employees cannot be held liable for the
use of and reliance on the opinions contained in these documents. Members are
encouraged to take all possible precautions to protect themselves and their employees
from the coronavirus and to ensure that they comply with the law. It must be noted that
regulations are amended and new regulations are still being promulgated, therefore this
information is subject to change.
Question Answer
1. Do our workers need permits Yes. A Permit to Perform Essential Services. This permit was
to travel to and from the farm? published in Government Gazette, No. 43147, Vol. 657 on 25
March 2020. See Regulation 11B (3) Form 1 in Annexure C. This
template was published by Government and Agri SA designed a
similar template that can also be used.
2. Are rotational staff allowed to Yes, with the presentation of a permit letter from employer/business
leave farms between shifts and Identity document. Public transport has been halted. According
and will public transport be to Regulation 11C(2), the employer must make the necessary
allowed to transport them? transport arrangements. 50% of the licensed capacity of the vehicle
may not be exceeded if it is a taxi or bus if it is a private vehicle,
60%.3. Can the informal traders
continue to trade food Yes, this is deemed an essential service. Government Gazette no.:
products? 43147 issued on 25 March 2020 (section 6.5.2 (a)(vi))
4. What happens to farmworkers If the farming activity is food production or is involved in harvesting
during the 21-day lockdown? and storage essential to prevent the wastage of primary agricultural
products, the worker can continue working as this is deemed an
essential service. Government Gazette no.: 43168 issued on 26
March 2020 – Annexure B to regulations
5. Can farmworkers move to and Yes, if involved in food production or involved in harvesting and
from the workplace? storage aimed at the prevention of wastage of primary agricultural
products and with the presentation of a permit letter from
employer/business and ID.
6. How do I repair equipment Support services to essential businesses are deemed an essential
without buying new spares? service so one should still be able to access this service.
7. Can testing for the If the employer has a thermometer/screening instrument available
coronavirus be done on a farm at their disposal, they may conduct screening tests at work.
if an employee displays any If an employee has a high temperature, they should be isolated.
symptoms? The hotline number 0800 029 999 must be called immediately if
someone is suspected of carrying the virus.
8. Where do we get masks and Masks are not necessary, but a necessary precautionary measure
is the employer liable if staff for all workers and management deemed essential. According to
are transported without the World Health Organisation: If you are healthy, you only need to
masks? wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with the suspected
2019-nCoV infection.
Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent
hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose
of it properly
9. Are we able to travel freely to Yes, with the presentation of a permit letter from
take produce to market? employer/business and ID.
10. Do we require permits to A Permit to Perform Essential Service
move/travel to our suppliers? Regulation 11b (3) template was published by Government
Gazette No. 43147 Vol. 657 on 25 March 2020. Agri SA designed a
template that can also be used.
11. How do we go about getting A Permit to Perform Essential Service
authorisation for essential Regulation 11b (3) template was published by Government
members of staff to travel to Gazette No. 43147 Vol. 657 on 25 March 2020. Agri SA designed a
and from our farm? template that can also be used.
12. Can I keep my business open Support services to essential businesses are deemed an essential
to provide a service to the service and should be able to continue.
agriculture sector by supplying
tractors and implement spares
to the farmer and mechanics?
13. How do farmers continue to By practising social distancing and good hygiene as communicated
keep the operation running by Agri SA.
without any physical contact
with others?
14. How does one honour
financial monthly There will be UIF and PAYE relief, we expect more information
commitments? from the government as time progresses.
15. Are co-ops also on lockdown? No, it is deemed an essential service so one should still be able to
access this service.16. I need to buy a new tyre for
my truck because it is This is deemed an essential service so one should still be able to
irreparable? access this service.
17. Are people able to buy live
chickens and produce off- This is deemed an essential service so one should still be able to
farm? access this service.
18. Will my suppliers be allowed This is deemed an essential service so you should still be able to
to open? access this service. Perhaps contact your supplier and make the
necessary arrangements with them.
19. Dairy farm priority? This is deemed an essential service. Introduce sound bio-security
principles on the farm. Also, you could assist with a permit for
collection.
20. Can small forestry operations Yes, they are deemed as an essential service as they produce
(about 5 people) continue packaging for food and toilet paper amongst others. Harvesting
during the lockdown and storage activities essential to prevent wastage of primary
agricultural goods is also considered essential services.
21. Government assistance to
reduce state levies i.e.: SDL,
WCA, Water levies, rates and There will be UIF and PAYE relief, we expect more information
taxes? from the government as time progresses.
22. How do I sell green mealies' This is deemed an essential service. Institute sound bio-security
off the farm'? principles on a farm. Also, you could assist with a permit for
collection
23. Does the State have any All possible interventions are being considered at this time.
plans to help distribute healthy
food to people that don’t have
the resources to accessenough to keep as healthy as
possible?
24. Transportation of staff Only to farms that produce food or are involved in activities that are
deemed harvesting and storage of primary agricultural produce to
prevent wastage and with the presentation of a permit letter from
employer/business and ID. According to Regulation 11C(2) the
employer must make the necessary transport arrangements. 50%
of the licenced capacity of the vehicle may not be exceeded if it is a
taxi or bus, if it is a private vehicle, 60%.
25. 3 farms in different areas. Can The Regulations state that movement between provinces and
I travel between / to them & between metro's and districts are prohibited. Agri SA is of the view
possibly with labour / that essential services should be exempted from this and that this
equipment? is a drafting error and we have requested that the regulations be
amended to reflect that indeed for essential services such travel
should be possible. The police has confirmed that essential
products and services can travel over provincial borders and
between metros and district municipalities.
26. Will the government follow The international best practice is being considered.
other successful countries and
specifically advocate milk
consumption to help increase
people’s immunity?
27. Transportation of forestry and Forestry is deemed an essential service. For vegetable seedlings, a
vegetable seedlings permit letter from employer/business and ID is required.
28. What happens to livestock Should continue, please contact your local SAPS/security company
theft patrols? for more information.29. Will farmers/reservists still be With the presentation of a permit letter from employer/business and
able to drive patrols? ID and in consultation with the police station commander. See
Annexure B (no.18) of regulations.
30. Will a curfew be set up in the There are no regulations on curfews Citizens can expect stops by
evenings that anyone moving SAPS/SANDF during the lockdown.
around may be stopped by
SAPS / SANDF?
31. If a farmer lives in the city and This is being clarified as the regulations do not allow movement
has to drive to the farm every between metropolitan areas and other areas.
day - will he be able to do
that?
32. Farmworkers living in villages If the farm is involved in food production or activities that are
that need to be transported deemed harvesting and storage of primary agricultural produce to
back daily or on weekends? prevent wastage, then workers will be allowed to move under strict
rules. Farmers will likely need to provide transport within the
framework of the regulations. We suggest that members make use
of the permit letter mentioned in point 1. We do not recommend
that accommodation be provided now, due to ESTA implications.
33. How will contract workers be If the farm is involved in food production or harvesting or storage of
handled to bring in critical primary agricultural products to prevent wastage, the contract
harvests? workers are treated the same as any other worker.
34. What about the worker who If the farm is involved in food production or harvesting or storage of
works out of the "township" – primary agricultural products to prevent wastage, and the worker
May he come to work? If not, can get to work he must come to work. There is no legal obligation
he should be paid even if he is to pay employees who are not working. The employer’s obligation
sitting at home? If he must be to pay arises from the employee’s ability and willingness to tender
paid what about the workers services. During the national lockdown period, the employeeswho live on the farm and goes cannot and may not work – not because the employer requires that
on with work? They will receive they do not work, but because of the lockdown order issued by the
the same salary at the end of government. (This situation is different from the case where the
the month even if one did not employer requires the employee not to be at work because of a
work. (Big problems one on the reasonable apprehension of harm in that the employee had been in
farm still has to do the other's contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19 or presents
work) with flu-like symptoms. Here it is the employer that requires the
employee to be absent based on the employer’s duty to 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 “lockdown 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 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.
35. Request for the regulations We're not going to be able to translate the regulations ourselves,
and provisions in the workers' but suggest our members do what we did: Ask a first-language
language, please.speaker to translate and distribute. We will also distribute all
translations.
36. What rules and requirements Transport should be provided. According to Regulation 11C(2), the
will apply in respect of employer must make the necessary transport arrangements. 50%
transport and accommodation of the licensed capacity of the vehicle may not be exceeded if it is a
of those workers who do not taxi or bus if it is a private vehicle, 60%. A permit letter will be
normally live on farms? necessary. We do not recommend that accommodation be
provided now, due to ESTA implications.
37. Under what rules and This is deemed an essential service. Institute sound bio-security
conditions may livestock principles on the farm. Also, you could assist with a permit for
auctions continue? collection. If any additional regulation comes into effect, it will be
shared ASAP
38. Are there any farming All farming activities that are not food production, processing or
activities that are excluded distribution, or harvesting and storage of primary agricultural
under essential food products to prevent wastage, are excluded.
production, processing or
distribution?
39. How do we handle work We asked the department for clarity, if legal foreign workers have a
permits, from legal foreign valid working permit and a permit letter from the employer/business
workers, that expire during the this should suffice, we cannot confirm the renewals of permits
period of restriction? during this period.
40. What powers does a local In terms of section 14 of the Disaster Management Act of 2002, the
authority and / or district Head of the National Disaster Management Centre may delegate
municipality have to issue any of the powers assigned to it to the municipal Disaster
additional regulations? Management Centre. This is subject to limitations imposed by the
National Centre. Each case may need to be taken up with the
National Disaster Management Center.41. How would we address All workers in essential businesses should continue working.
contract workers, such as
shaving/shearing teams or
harvesting teams?
42. Which secondary agricultural Only activities related to the production, processing and distribution
businesses are excluded from of food, animal feed, packaging for food and chemicals used in the
the restriction on movement? food and the harvesting and storage of primary agricultural produce
to prevent wastage, are allowed.
43. What is the possibility of Employers who can continue paying employees should do so.
claiming a portion of wages Please see the attached TERS guide for more information in cases
paid to workers who stay at where employers need assistance.
home during that time from
the state?
44. Is the production of animal In terms of the amended regulations, all primary agricultural goods
fibre, wool and mohair may be harvested and stored to avoid wastage. Government
considered as an essential Gazette no.: 43168 issued on 26 March 2020
service?
45. Are public auctions under This is deemed an essential service. Institute sound bio-security
strict conditions going to be principles on a farm. Also, you could assist with a permit for
allowed to continue? collection. If any additional regulation comes into effect, it will be
shared ASAP
46. If employees refuse to work,
can the principle of no work no If employees do not want to come to work for fear of infection, then
pay be enforced? 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 disciplinarysteps should be a last resort and must be carefully considered before
implemented.
47. Transportation of employees: The one-by-one rule will apply, and the stores will also apply "crowd
specifications/guidelines / control". The regulations are likely to provide more clarity, the retail
measures for the purchase of sector regulations were published on 25 March, for reference.
e.g. food and household
necessities?
48. Transport of employees from Employers will probably need to provide transport, which may not
town to farm and back? exceed 50% of the vehicle’s carrying capacity if it is a taxi or bus or
60% if it is a private vehicle.
49. Transport of raw products Yes deemed as an essential service. Harvesting and storage
from farm to processing plant? activities essential to prevent the wastage of primary agricultural
goods Government Gazette no.: 43168 issued on 26 March 2020
50. List of agricultural related Government Gazette, No. 43147, Vol. 657 on 25 March 2020
activities excluded from outlines essential services and goods. The amended regulations
lockdown? provide for harvesting and storage activities essential to prevent
the wastage of primary agricultural goods see Government Gazette
no.: 43168 issued on 26 March 2020
51. Can the drought relief program The drought program must continue as farmers depend on the
continue? donations to produce which is, therefore, an essential service.
52. Will it be possible for citrus Yes, this is deemed an essential service
farmers to go ahead with their
harvesting process because
they need a large number of
seasonal labour? This labourwill need to be transported
over great distances.
53. A Permit to Perform Essential Service
Would migrant movement still Regulation 11b (3) template was published by the Government.
be allowed, or must the staff This permit was published on Government Gazette, No. 43147,
be on lock-down on-farm? Vol. 657 on 25 March 2020. Agri SA designed a template that can
also be used
54. Will livestock sales be This is deemed an essential service.
permitted to continue?
55. Can trucks picking up labour A Permit to Perform Essential Service
continue and will the trucks Regulation 11b (3) template was published by the Government.
and the labourer’s have a This permit was published on Government Gazette, No. 43147,
permit to allow freedom of Vol. 657 on 25 March 2020. Agri SA designed a template that can
movement? also be used.
56. Export of Agricultural This is deemed an essential service and can continue.
Products?
57. What happens in the event A workplace in agriculture does not constitute a "gathering" and is
where a farm employs more exempt, however, hygiene measures need to be strict. There is no
than 100 people? point carrying on with business as usual until someone becomes ill,
we need to preach prevention.
58. Can landowners who do not A Permit to Perform Essential Service
stay on a farm and even live in Regulation 11b (3) template was published by the Government.
another province commute? This permit was published on Government Gazette, No. 43147, Vol.
657 on 25 March 2020. Agri SA designed a template that can also
be used59. Can institutions provide fuel, They will be allowed to continue. They must carry a permit letter.
seed and fertilizer to
producers?
60. Water shortages that are All reasonable practices concerning hygiene and sanitation should
affecting many towns in be employed. Where possible, hand sanitiser should be used.
Limpopo are causing
residents not to sanitise
61. Can we have a One of the categories of potential exemptions from property rates
waiver/reduction of Property in terms of section 15 of the Local Government Municipal Property
Rates? 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 – which will involve that they will
have to be negotiated at a local level with your municipality
62. Will farmers or transporters This is deemed an essential service. See permit
qualify for help with the
Transport of Farm Products?
63. What steps should be taken if The NICD should be notified, a person in isolation, list of persons
a worker working in a citrus with whom they have been in direct contact and consider placing
warehouse is tested positive those persons in isolation. It is very difficult, because the disease is
for COVID-19? contagious before symptoms start, and some people test positive
without any symptoms.
64. Is there any assistance from Government has stepped up procurement of these items, but
the Government for hand remember that soap and water work perfectly, and masks have
sanitizer? zero protective effect against this virus, it simply prevents a person
who is already ill from coughing and sneezing on other people.
This is from the World Health Organisation: If you are healthy, youonly need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with
the suspected 2019-nCoV infection. Wear a mask if you are
coughing or sneezing. Masks are effective only when used in
combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand
rub or soap and water.
If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose
of it properly.
65. 6 I am a sole proprietor and do This issue has been raised with the presidency and Agri SA is
5 not have an enterprise awaiting feedback. It is not compulsory to register as an essential
. number. Because of this, I service at this stage but if there is a financial benefit at a later stage
cannot register on the it might be useful.
BizPortal. As a sole proprietor
and a smaller scale farmer, this
lockdown will have a huge
financial impact on me, but
now I cannot use the possible
funding from BizPortal as I
don’t have this enterprise
number.
66. 6The capacity on Yes, with the presentation of a permit letter from
6bakkies/trucks/other transport employer/business and Identity document. Public transport has
. that is reduced to 50% as well been halted. According to Regulation 11C(2), the employer must
as the allocated time has a make the necessary transport arrangements. 50% of the licensed
huge impact on Agriculture capacity of the vehicle may not be exceeded if it is a taxi or bus if it
production: Different packing is a private vehicle, 60%. There are no regulations addressing
shifts; the shift times do not transportation on bakkies but all precautionary measures must
correspond with the allocatedtimes gazetted, meaning adhere to i.e social distancing, hand-sanitizer, a driver must wear a production is cut in half by only mask. Government Gazette no.: 43157 issued on 26 March 2020 having 1 shift per day and this, of course, having an impact on the food production and supply. Some Agri Products are more perishable, therefore need to be packed on the same day and cannot stand over till the next morning. Packhouses need to function a second shift from 16:00 to 23:00 at least. Farmworkers work different times on different farms in the same day. They need to be transported from 1 farm to the next but will be stopped by the police as it doesn’t necessarily fall in the allocated time frames. When it is possible to move the farmworkers from one farm to the next in the allocated time, the problem is moving 1 or 2 people at a time as the capacity allowance of a bakkie is 1 person.
67. What kind of transportation is Both, but subject to restrictions of 50% and 60% of licensed
allowed to be used? Private, capacity for public and private respectively.
Public or company based?
68. 6 Can farm workers stay on the Yes, if they agree.
8 farm during the week
. (isolation) and go home over
weekends?
69. 7 Will there be taxi transport Private transport provided by the employer is permissible, subject
1 available for our labourer to to 60% capacity limitation and complying with conditions regarding
. buy food? We are 60km from hygiene.
the nearest town. We can take
our workers home with a truck
if it is permissible.
70. 7Will the small Spaza shops in Yes, Grocery stores and spaza shops are regarded as an essential
2the townships be allowed to service. Government Gazette no.: 43148 issued on 25 March 2020
. remain open?
Complied by:
Andrea Campher – Disaster Risk Manager
(C) 079 8872 174You can also read
