SA Table Grape Industry Covid-19 Communication and resources
The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) supports the Government’s efforts to combat the spread of Covid-19 in South Africa. This page is regularly updated with the key government Regulations and useful resources.
Covid-19 and food safety
According to the official statement of 2 August 2021 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) “Current data indicates that neither food nor food packaging is a pathway for the spread of viruses causing respiratory illnesses, including SARS-CoV-2. In other words, SARS-CoV-2 is not a direct food safety concern.”
The International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods (ICMSF) in a statement on 3 September 2020 support this view as follows: “Considering that there are to date, no proven cases or scientific associations between food consumption and COVID-19, it is highly unlikely that SARS-CoV-2 constitutes a food safety risk.”
These two globally reputable organisations also categorically state that restricting and testing food imports or asking for COVID-19 freedom statements are not scientifically justified, as there is no documented evidence that food is a significant source and/or vehicle for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 spread.
SATI Industry Memo’s on Covid-19
2021 11 30 SATI Kennisgewing – Covid-19 Taakspan en Inligting 2021-22 Seisoen
2020 10 09 SATI Kennisgewing – Covid-19 Taakspan en Inligting
2020 07 24 SATI Kennisgewing – Covid-19 Taakspan
2020 04 30 SATI Kennisgewing – Vlak 4 Inperking
2020 04 15 SATI Kennisgewing – Verlengde Inperking en Noodsaaklike Dienste
2020 03 25 SATI Kennisgewing – Landswye Inperking (lockdown)
Adjusted Alert Level 1 from 1 October 2021
President Cyril Ramaphosa Message – 28 November 2021
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Adjusted level 1
- The entire country has been placed back on Adjusted Level 1 as of this morning, the 1st of October 2021.
Freedom of movement
- The curfew has been adjusted to apply from midnight until 4 am;
- This means that all entertainment establishments must close by 23:00 to allow their staff to travel home;
- Should a person need to travel during the curfew hours for work, they need to be in possession of the self-issue permit attached (Form 7);
Funerals
- Funerals are limited to 100 persons or less, provided that no more than 50% of a venue’s capacity may be used;
- No night-vigils or ‘after-tears’ gatherings are permitted;
- Funerals are limited to 2 hours in duration.
Gatherings
- The limits for faith-based, social, political or cultural gatherings has been moved up to 2000 persons outdoors, 750 indoors or 50% of the venue’s capacity, whichever is lesser;
- Gatherings at workplaces for work purposes remain permitted;
- Hospitality establishments may operate at 100% capacity;
- Professional and non-professional sporting matches remain permitted without spectators;
Borders
- The operations of borders remain unchanged in that;
- 20 land borders remain open but 33 remain closed;
- International air travel remains limited to;
- OR Tambo International Airport;
- King Shaka International Airport;
- Cape Town International Airport;
- Lanseria International Airport; and
- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport;
- All commercial seaports remain open for trade but for the first time since the start of the pandemic, cruise ships may also call on South African ports;
- The transportation of cargo remains permitted
Public transport
- Busses and taxis may continue to operate at 100% capacity for short-distance trips (less than 200kms) and 70% capacity for long distance trips.
Adjusted Alert Level 2 from 13 – 30 September 2021
Move to Advanced Level 2 Government Gazette
Adjusted Alert Level 3 from 26 July to 12 September 2021
President’s Message Level 3 – 25 July 2021
Advance level 3 adjusted Regulations – 26 July 2021
Adjusted Alert Level 4 from 28 June 2021 – 25 July 2021
Level 4 Amended Regulations – 11 July 2021
President Cyril Ramaphosa address to the nation – 27 June 2021
Alert Level 4 Regulations CoOperativeGovernance – 27 June 2021
Consolidated Coronavirus COVID-19 Direction on OHS Measures in Certain workplaces
DRAFT Note on the Revised C19 OHS Direction – 15 June 2021
Alert Level 1 from 1 March 2021 – 30 May 2021
Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa – 28 February 2021
Cogta Alert Level 1 Regulations
Alert Level 3 from 29 December 2020 – 15 January 2021 – extended to 15 February 2021
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA – 1 February 2021
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA – 11 January 2021
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON PROGRESS – 28 December 2020
As per the President’s announcement on 1 February 2021, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has yet again published amendments to Regulations for the adjusted alert level 3. The Minister of Transport has also issued new directions.
A high level summary follows (with links to the regulations below the summary):
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Amendment of Regulations
- Chapter 7 has been deleted which does away with a distinction between ‘hot spots’ and the rest of he country. The amended regulations therefore apply country-wide;
- Movement of persons;
- The curfew has been adjusted to apply between 23:00 and 04:00 daily;
- A permit corresponding to form 7 is required for an employee of a permitted service to travel during curfew; or
- A person using air travel who arrives or departs during curfew must be in possession of a boarding pass;
- All entertainment establishments (restaurants, cinemas, etc.) are required to close by 22:00;
- Opening and closure of schools;
- The Cabinet Minister responsible for basic education must determine the dates on which schools may be open or closed;
- Gatherings;
- Gatherings at faith-based institutions are limited to 50 persons indoors and 100 persons outdoors;
- Social gatherings remain prohibited;
- Public spaces;
- All beaches, dams, lakes and rivers, inclusive of all recreational facilities at these places are reopened;
- Public swimming pools are open subject to the 50/100 limit or 50% of capacity;
- Night clubs remain closed;
- International travel;
- International air travel (for recreational purposes) is permitted via OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airports;
- Land ports remain closed for recreational travel until the 15th of February as per the previous amendment to the regulations;
- Liquor;
- The sale of liquor for off-site consumption is permitted from 10:00 until 18:00 from Mondays to Thursdays;
- The sale of liquor for on-site consumption is permitted from 10:00 until 22:00 on any day (subject to existing provincial laws regulating trading hours);
- Wine farms and micro-breweries may continue to operate and offer wine-tastings and selling for off-site consumption subject to curfew and social distancing;
- The transport of liquor is permitted again;
- Prohibited activities;
- Attendance of sporting events by spectators remain prohibited;
Minister of Transport
Public Transport
- The owners of public transport facilities must:
- Provide sanitisers or hand washing facilities;
- Provide for social distancing at ques;
- Prohibit gatherings on site;
- Wear face masks;
- Require all passengers to wear a face mask;
- Vehicles must be sanitised after dropping off passengers;
- Loading capacity:
- For long distance (more than 200km);
- 70% for mini or midi-bus taxis, busses;
- Long distance travellers may complete their journey despite curfew;
- For short distance travel, 100% capacity is permitted;
- For long distance (more than 200km);
- All operating licences and accreditation remains valid until 31 August 2021.
Cross-border travel
- Cross-border passenger transport is prohibited; subject to the exceptions specified in regulation 42 (1) & (2);
- Cross-border freight transport is permitted;
- Hygiene and sanitation measures are also prescribed for those passengers that are permitted under the Regulations.
Air services
- Hygiene and sanitation protocols are prescribed;
- International flights are permitted at the designated airports subject to;
- A valid negative Polymerase Chain Reaction test (CPR) not more than 72 hours old;
- OR Tambo, King Shaka and Cape Town International Airports are the only designated ports of entry and exit; but
- Cargo operations is permitted at;
- Bram Fischer International Airport;
- Cape Town International Airport;
- King Shaka International Airport;
- Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport;
- Lanseria International Airport;
- OR Tambo International Airport;
- Polokwane Airport;
- Port Elizabeth International Airport; and
- Upington International Airport;
- International outbound passengers must present a negative PCR test and comply with the destination country’s requirements;
- Domestic flights are permitted;
Railway transport
- All registered railway operators must develop a COVID-19 management plan which must be submitted to the Railway Safety Regulator;
- Hygiene and sanitation protocols are prescribed;
- PRASA may continue commuter services between:
- Cape Town Southern line and Simonstown;
- East London and Berlin;
- Pienaarspoort and Pretoria Central; and
- Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage.
- The Gautrain may continue to operate between:
- Park Station and Hatfield;
- Sandton and OR Tambo;
- Long-distance rail transport remains prohibited;
- Rolling stock maintenance, rail and logistic operators are declared essential services.
Herewith the links to the notices:
Amendment cross-border transport
Alert level 3 – 29 December 2020
Alert Level 1 from 21 September 2020 – 28 December 2020
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has published the amendments to the lockdown regulations as per the President’s announcements on 14 December 2020. The Minister of Transport has also amended the directions for public transport under the Disaster Management Act.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Identification of ‘hot spots’
- In addition to Nelson Mandela Bay which was previously highlighted, the Sarah Baartman district municipality in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route District Municipality in the Western Cape have been listed as hot spots;
- Extra restrictions therefore apply to these 3 municipalities.
Amendment to the Regulations for level 1
- The curfew has been amended to apply from 23H00 until 04H00 outside of hotspots;
- The curfew within hotspots remain 22H00 until 04H00;
- All faith-based institutions, entertainment areas and restaurants must close by 22H00;
- Funerals are limited to 100 persons, provided it is no more than 50% of capacity and not night vigils or after funeral gatherings are permitted;
- Gatherings are limited to 100 persons indoor and 250 persons outdoor, provided it does not exceed 50% of the venue’s capacity;
- Beaches and public parks will be closed for the following times in the following areas:
- All of the Eastern Cape from 16 December until 3 January;
- Garden Route from 16 December until 3 January;
- Kwa-Zulu Natal on the 16th, 25th, 26th and 31st of December and 1,2 and 3 January 2021;
- Northern Cape & Western Cape (excluding garden route) will be open to the public;
- The beaches and parks that are still open may only be open between 09H00 and 18H00;
- Face masks are compulsory;
- Loud music is prohibited;
- The closing of beaches are not applicable to fishermen for fishing purposes who are in possession of a permit or exemption granted under the Marine Living Resources Act;
- Gatherings at gyms are limited to 100 persons indoor and 250 persons outdoor, provided it does not exceed 50%;
- Accommodation facilities are subject to 50% capacity;
- Liquor for off-site consumption is only permitted from 10H00 until 18H00 Mondays to Fridays, excluding public holidays;
- Registered wineries and wine farms may continue to offer wine tastings and selling for off-site consumption from 10H00 to 18H00 from Mondays to Saturdays;
Special provisions for hotspots
- The curfew within hotspots remain 22H00 until 04H00;
- All faith-based institutions, entertainment areas and restaurants must close by 21H00;
- Access to national and provincial parks, and other parks where access control measures and entry limitations are already in place, will remain open to the public;
- Gatherings are allowed at auctions but subject to the 100/250 person limit;
Transport
Amendments to Directions on public transport
- All operating licences and accreditation certificates for tourist and charter transport services that expired between 26 March 2020 and 28 February 2021 are deemed valid and is extended for a grace period up to 31 August 2021.
Herewith the links to the notices:
Co-Operative Governance New Level 1 Regulations – 3 December 2020
President Ramaphosa Speech – 3 December 2020
Summary of Level 1 OHS Regulations – 8 October 2020
New OHS regulations from the Department of Employment and Labour – 01 October 2020.
Employment and Labour
New OHS Directions
- As was the case under the previous directions, employers must conduct symptom screening and keep a register of all employees and visitors to the workplace;
- All employers must also undertake a risk assessment, identify vulnerable persons and develop a plan outlining the protective measures in place;
- One salient difference is that every employer who employs more than 50 persons at a single site must submit a record of its risk assessment together with a written policy to the Department of Employment and Labour before the 21st of October 2020;
- This was previously only applicable to employers with more than 500 employees but the threshold has been lowered to 50;
- Broadly speaking there are 4 categories / instances where employers must submit data to the Department:
- The once-off vulnerability assessment for employers with more than 50 employees on site;
- The actual symptoms of employees who are symptomatic (this must be submitted weekly);
- Details regarding a positive test case; and
- Prescribed information where an employee returns to work after recovering from COVID 19.
- Vulnerability status assessments apply to all employees but the remainder only to positive test cases;
- Even though it is a legal requirement to collect this information, it will qualify as personal information in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (POPI);
- The implication is that this personal information must be kept confidential from other employees, stored securely (i.e. in a file in a locked drawer etc.) and only submitted to the department through secure channels that are not accessible to other employees;
- To assist companies with these reporting requirements, the CSIR is busy developing an online platform and mobile phone app referred to as Cmore.
- Kindly consult the detailed guideline document for more information.
The ministers of Transport and Home Affairs have amended the Regulations under the Disaster Management Act to cater for alert level 1. Herewith the key points relevant to agriculture:
Home Affairs
Amendment of directions
- Visas for foreign nationals residing in South Africa which was due to lapse during the lockdown has been extended from 31 October 2020 until 31 January 2021;
- A list is included of the 35 land ports which remain closed;
- The department will now also process visitor’s visas, study visas, business visas, critical skills, corporate and general work visas amongst others from 1 October 2020 – this will be critical for agribusinesses who employ foreign nationals;
- The amended Directions also set down the procedure and supporting documents which are required to be submitted with an application from any person who wishes to travel to the Republic from a high-risk country;
- Such travellers require permission from the Minister to travel to the Republic.
The notices are linked below:
President Ramaphosa Message on 16 September 2020
Alert Level 2 from 18 August 2020
Alert LEVEL 2 Government Gazette 17 August 2020
The Ministers of Transport have amended the directions issued under the Disaster Management Act for alert level 2. Herewith the key points:
Transport
Public transport
- All long distance (+200 km) intra and inter-provincial travel by private vehicles and public transport is permitted;
- For long distance travel, the following load capacities apply:
- Minibus, midibus or minibus taxi-type services are limited at 70%, equating to:
- 7/10 for minibuses;
- 10/15 for midibuses;
- 15/22 for larger midibuses; and
- 70% for bus services;
- Minibus, midibus or minibus taxi-type services are limited at 70%, equating to:
- For short distance travel (less than 200 kms);
- Buses, minibuses, midi-buses, e-hailing services, meter taxis, shuttle services, chauffer-driven vehicles & scholar transport may carry 100% capacity;
- Rail operations are limited to 70% capacity.
- The transportation of liquor is also permitted.
Agri Western Cape Covid-19-scenarios-in-die-werkplek
Alert Level 3 continues from 13 July 2020
President Cyril Ramaphosa Message – 12 July 2020
AgriSA Letter summarise new Level 3 Regulations – 13 July 2020
Alert Level 3 from 1 June 2020
AgriSA Letter on Level 3 Regulations – 26 June 2020
President Cyril Ramaphosa speech on Alert Level 3
Consolidated Covid-19 Direction on Health and Safety in the Workplace – 4 June 2020
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES ON COVID-19
All official government regulations and guidelines are available at https://www.gov.za/coronavirus/guidelines
Find tools and guidelines to expedite a safe, effective and structured return to work plan (https://www.return2work.co.za)
Alert Level 4 from 1 May 2020
SATI Memo Level 4 lockdown – 30 April 2020
Level 4 Regulations – 29 April 2020
The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has published new Regulations that will repeal and replace the Covid-19 Regulations applied under level 5. Many of the same restrictions have been repeated in the new regulations which enter into operation on the 1st of May 2020.
New level 4 lockdown regulations for employers – including coronavirus screening and free masks for workers
COVID-19 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES IN WORKPLACES COVID-19 (C19 OHS) Covid19 Directive – 28 APRIL 2020
According to the new regulations, gazetted on Wednesday 29 April, employers will need to implement a host of new measures to ensure that their workers are protected and limit the risk of the coronavirus spreading.
AgriSA Level 4 workplace resources:
Business4SA_Return to work during COVID19 as at 14 May
Memorandum Practice Note for COVID19
Covid-19 Employer Risk Assessment GENERIC
COVID-19 Worker risk assessment
The State of National Disaster and national lockdown implemented from 27 March 2020 and extend to 30 April 2020. Based on the regulations the table grape industry is an essential service.
Notes on Lockdown extension from 17-30 April 2020
Permit to perform essential services according to Regulation 11 B (3)
- This permit does not have to be re-issued now that the lockdown has been extended, it remains valid.
- The SAPS have been informed of this.
- To avoid any confusion and frustration it is recommended, and where possible for producers, to issue new or updated permits to employees to reflect the new 30 April date.
- CIPC registration of businesses that perform “Essential Services”
- These registrations expired on 16 April 2020 and have to be re-issued to cover the period until 30 April 2020.
- These CIPC registrations are not permits, employees and employers must still have valid permits (referred to above).
Government extended lockdown regulations -16 April 2020
AgriSA letter about latest amendments – 16 April 2020
Memorandums have been issued to the table grape industry:
25 March 2020 – Memorandum SATI Kennisgewing – Landswye Inperking (lockdown) 25 Maart
15 April 2020 – Memorandum SATI Kennisgewing – Verlengde Inperking en Noodsaaklike Dienste
Additional relevant resources for producers from various Government Departments, AgriSA, AgBiz, the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape can be found by clicking on the following links:
- AgriSA – Wat om te Doen Covid in die Werksplek
- AgriSA – Werksplek Kontrolelys
- Q&A – DAFF Western Cape
- AgriSA – Vervoer in die landbou
Further information about financial and other support can be found by clicking on the following links:
- Government’s Covid-19 website www.sacoronavirus.co.za
- Fruit SA Statement on Covid-19
- Financial Support Schemes during COVID-19
- PPECB’s response to the Nationwide Lockdown
- AgBiz Workplace guidelines
- Department of Labour: UIF Easy-aid-doc.final
- Western Cape Government Covid-19 website
More resources:
PMA Research – UK Consumer Sentiment During Covid-19 Crises
PMA Research – Chinese Consumer Sentiment During Covid-19 Crises