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Have any questions?
Please check our FAQ section
Need to get in touch?
You can email us on info@return2work.co.za
Due to a high volume of emails, an individual response to each email may not be possible.
Please check our FAQ section
You can email us on info@return2work.co.za
Due to a high volume of emails, an individual response to each email may not be possible.
Is my business permitted to operate?
Schedule of services framework for sectors – look at services allowed for Level 4
You must familiarise yourself with the COVID-19 Regulations and Directions applicable to your business including the occupational health and safety directions and comply with these rules. These can be accessed on the Return to Work website on the Government Notices Page or on the South African Government website.
You must also consider whether any sector-specific COVID-19 protocols apply to your business activities and ensure you comply with these protocols.
Has my business accounted for risks adequately?
Before reopening all businesses (which are permitted to operate during Adjusted Alert Level 3 ) must undertake a risk assessment giving effect to the minimum measures required by the Consolidated Direction on Occupational Health and Safety Measures in Certain Workplaces and taking into account the specific circumstances of their workplace determine whether it intends to make vaccination mandatory (within 21 days of the amendment of the OHS Direction ) and if so, identify those employees who by virtue of their work are at risk of transmission, or are at risk for severe COVID-19 disease or death due to their age or comorbidities must be vaccinated.
Businesses that employ over 50 employees must submit a record of its risk assessment together with a written policy and a plan concerning the protection of the health and safety of its employees from COVID-19 to its health and safety committee and make a copy available to inspectors of the Department and to the health and safety representatives.
On the basis of the risk assessment, before opening businesses must develop a plan outlining the protective measures in place and which provides for the phased return of its employees and the measures that the employer intends to implement in respect of the vaccination of its employees (Where vaccination is mandatory) in accordance with the Direction and taking into account Guidelines in Annexure C.
All businesses must consult on the risk assessment and plan with–
This risk assessment and the plan should be available for inspection by an inspector, representative trade, health and safety committee and health and safety representative (as applicable).
Please refer to the Business Resources page which has a Workplace Planning Template and a detailed Practice Note which may assist you in preparing a response plan. There are also additional resources available on the Additional Resources page.
All businesses permitted to operate must designate a COVID19 compliance officer. The compliance officer may be an employee or other suitable person and must be appointed /assigned, in writing.
Businesses should prepare appropriate training and awareness material and sessions for employees as well as visitors (members of the public, customers, suppliers, couriers and other services providers) who may visit the business premise addressing important COVID-19 topics.
It is highly recommended that businesses use signage with messages that encourage safe behaviours both inside and outside the workplace as relevant to COVID-19.
Please refer to the Business Resources page which has a detailed Practice Note which may guide you with communication content and the Additional Resources page which provides sample signage for employer premises.
Has my business prepared staff for returning to work?
The curfew during Adjusted Alert Level 1 is from 00H00 to 04H00.
Please see the Business Resources page for further resources including a detailed Practice Note, Risk Assessment and Risk Panning Tools, and Workplace Planning Tool which may guide you with identifying vulnerable employees and the Additional Resources page which provides government guidelines on measures that can be taken in respect of vulnerable employees within the work place.
All employees must wear some form of cloth covering over their mouth and nose while at work. Every employer must ensure that workers are informed, trained , instructed and supervise as to the correct use of cloth masks.
Is my workplace adequately prepared for re-opening?
Businesses must consider the social distancing and hygiene requirements prescribed by the COVID-19 regulations and directives accessible on the Government Notices page. You must further implement the measures required in terms of your specific COVID-19 risk assessment and risk response plan. You must also take note of any specific sector-specific requirements that apply to your industry which may be specified in the COVID-19 regulations, directions or sectoral guidelines.
Please see the Business Resources page further resources including a Practice Note and the Additional Resources page which provides additional guidelines and tools that may assist you in preparing your physical workspace. Also see the Sector resources page and Government Notices page for sector-specific standards.
IF REQUIRED BASED ON THE BUSINESS RISK ASSESSMENT, ORDER THE APPROPRIATE PPE FOR employees and VISITORS
Please see the Additional Resources page which provides additional guidelines regarding appropriate PPE.
Places permitted to remain open must strictly adhere to closing time which is 23H00 except where a person has been granted permission in the Form 7 of Annexure A, to perform a service.
An employer with more than 50 employees submit the following categories of data to the National Institute for Occupational Health in terms of the required templates.
All the above categories of data must be submitted to the OHSS portal (https://www.nioh.ac.za/home/national-resources-directives-guidelines/) at the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOH),
Go time!
The measures you implement depends on your risk assessment and plan as well as the minimum requirements of the COVID-19 regulations and directions and sectoral guidelines.
STAGGER THE RETURN TO WORK OF EMPLOYEES per your plan having regard to your industry and number of employees
Submit Data collected during the screening and testing process to the National Institute for Occupational Health.
Monitor the effectiveness of planned measures and adjust and improve wherever necessary.
These are important steps to get your business open, there are further steps to ensure that you stay open.
This site provides a roadmap of the steps your business needs to take to re-open safely and according to regulations.
COVID-19 is an evolving challenge so new information is continually being released. We try our best to keep this up to date as possible.
As a business, it is your responsibility to be aware of the latest changes.
MAINTAIN these tasks
CLEAN REGULARLY. ENSURE ALL REGULARLY TOUCHED SURFACES ARE DISINFECTED BEFORE WORK BEGINS, REGULARLY DURING THE WORK DAY AND AFTER THE WORK DAY OR SHIFTS END.
KEEP REGISTERS UP TO DATE. Keep registers for all staff and visitors entering the premises for contact tracing if required.
SCREEN ALL PERSONS ENTERING THE PREMISES DAILY.
Firms must adhere to any sector -specific health protocols intended to limit the spread of COVID -19 in the sector concerned.
Where sector specific health protocols are still to be developed, must be developed and issued by Cabinet members responsible for a sector in consultation with the Cabinet member responsible for health.
Sector specific health protocols may address matters such as work rotation, staggered working hours, shift systems, remote working arrangements, special measures affecting persons with greater vulnerabilities or similar measures, in order to achieve social distancing, protect employees or limit congestion in public transport and at the workplace.
Ensure customers keep distance of at least 1.5 metres from each other & that all directions in respect of health protocols and social distancing measures are adhered to
Regulations issued under level 1 b
These may be shareholders, employees, suppliers, clients/customers, lenders, landlords. Communicate the steps being taken to ensure business continuity.
 Health data submission to National Institute for Occupational Health Risk assessment & mitigation plan List of staff permitted to work Amended policies Copies of permits for staff permitted to work |
List of staff who can work from home List of staff over 60 years old List of staff with comorbidities Letter of appointment for Covid-19 compliance officer CEO declaration |
MONITOR these tasks and take action as required by the nature of your business
Check the South African Government notices b for Disaster Management Act updates as it pertains to alert levels and other relevant changes to your sector and business.
If your business has applied for economic relief, the terms and conditions of your loan/deferment may change based on the extent to which your business has re-opened. Check TERS (UIF) & SARS Tax Relief b websites for updates.
TAKE ACTION – REPORT AND RESPOND
Department of Labour: COIDA note for occupationally acquired COVID-19 p
Click on the scenario that you’d like to know more about
Scenario 1 –Worker with a positive COVID-19 test p
Scenario 2 – Worker with symptoms compatible with ARI (acute respiratory infection) p
Scenario 3 – Worker who is high risk and has confirmed COVID-19 exposure. Worker is asymptomatic p
Scenario 4 – Worker is low risk and has suspected COVID-19 exposure. Worker is asymptomatic. p
Well done on re-opening your business.
Here’s a roadmap that outlines the tasks you need to monitor, maintain, report on and respond to in order to stay open.
You need to keep up to date with regulations as the COVID-19 situation evolves, but this is a good place to start!
You've reached the end of the roadmap with info on how to stay open. Remember, these are tasks you should complete.
Keep an eye on this site for any updates to rules and actions to take.
Spaza, Supermarket, Cash & Carry, Uncooked Food and Walk-In Store
Where possible avoid handling cash. Always wash or sanitise hands after handling cash.
Don’t share equipment, utensils, cigarettes, food, drink, pens, or cell phones with others.
Take care of old clients and pregnant women. Serve them first.
Wash work clothes with soap and water every evening and iron when they are dry.
Talk to employees about their concerns and make sure they know how to prevent infection.
COVID-19 infection is growing in South Africa. We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 spreads through coughing and sneezing, contact with an infected person, or touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Keep at least 1.5 distance (3 big steps)
Disinfect surfaces and equipment
Other symptoms: fever, body aches, redness of eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness, tiredness.
Mechanics, small auto businesses, panel beaters and car washes
Where possible avoid handling cash. Always wash or sanitise hands after handling cash.
Don’t share equipment, utensils, cigarettes, food, drink, pens, or cell phones with others.
Talk to employees about their concerns and make sure they know how to prevent infection.
COVID-19 infection is growing in South Africa. We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 spreads through coughing and sneezing, contact with an infected person, or touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Keep at least 1.5 distance (3 big steps)
Disinfect surfaces and equipment
Other symptoms: fever, body aches, redness of eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness, tiredness.
Kota outlets, shisanyamas, amaplati and other informal fast food outlets
Wash work clothes with soap and water every evening and iron when they are dry.
Talk to employees about their concerns and make sure they know how to prevent infection.
COVID-19 infection is growing in South Africa. We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 spreads through coughing and sneezing, contact with an infected person, or touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Keep at least 1.5 distance (3 big steps)
Disinfect surfaces and equipment
Other symptoms: fever, body aches, redness of eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness, tiredness.
Market, Ranks, Hawkers, Mobile Sellers
Talk to employees about their concerns and make sure they know how to prevent infection.
COVID-19 infection is growing in South Africa. We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 spreads through coughing and sneezing, contact with an infected person, or touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Keep at least 1.5 distance (3 big steps)
Disinfect surfaces and equipment
Other symptoms: fever, body aches, redness of eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness, tiredness.
Electricians, home builders, plumbers, locksmiths, renovators, window cleaners, domestic services
Wash your hands on arrival and regularly through the day
Disinfect your hands frequently
Where possible avoid handling cash. Always wash or sanitise hands after handling cash.
Talk to employees about their concerns and make sure they know how to prevent infection.
COVID-19 infection is growing in South Africa. We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 spreads through coughing and sneezing, contact with an infected person, or touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Keep at least 1.5 distance (3 big steps)
Disinfect surfaces and equipment
Other symptoms: fever, body aches, redness of eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness, tiredness.
Shared computer facilities in spazas and other stores
Talk to employees about their concerns and make sure they know how to prevent infection.
COVID-19 infection is growing in South Africa. We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 spreads through coughing and sneezing, contact with an infected person, or touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Keep at least 1.5 distance (3 big steps)
Disinfect surfaces and equipment
Other symptoms: fever, body aches, redness of eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness, tiredness.
Guidelines
Resources for communities
Useful information
Leaflets
COVID-19 videos
Hair, Face, Nail, Body Treatments And Tattooing
Customers should book timeslots.
Set up workspace1.5m apart (3 big steps). Keep windows open for good air flow or work outdoors wherever possible.
Service providers should work on one client at a time.
Clients and service providers must wear masks.
Keep a daily contact list of all clients and staff.
Avoid handling cash. Wash or sanitise hands after handling cash.
Disinfect seats, basins, bottles, workstations and equipment between each client visit.
Disinfect areas that people touch often such as counters, tills, handles.
Disposable capes, caps and aprons must be discarded after each service.
Wash work clothes with soap and water every evening. Iron when they are dry.
Talk to employees about their concerns and make sure they know how to prevent infection.
COVID-19 infection is growing in South Africa. We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease.
COVID-19 spreads through coughing and sneezing, contact with an infected person, or touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Always wear a cloth mask & protective visor for close facial contact.
Keep at least 1.5 distance (3 big steps)
Disinfect surfaces and equipment
Other symptoms: fever, body aches, redness of eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue, weakness, tiredness.
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