Businesses warned: Adhere to regulations or be shut down
Labour and Employment Minister Thulas Nxesi has issued a stern warning to businessowners to follow lockdown regulations or face closure.
More businesses are expected to open their doors on Monday as part of the country’s level 4 eased national lockdown.
Nxesi briefed the media on the back-to-work readiness on Sunday ahead of the return of over one million employees to work.
“Employers must take measures to protect the health and safety of everyone in the workplace. This includes employees of contractors, self-employed persons and volunteers.
“Any employer who does not comply with the direction may be ordered to close business.”
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According to Agri SA's Omri van Zyl, level 5 lockdown restrictions affected agriculture significantly with, for example, the restaurant and tourism industry effectively shut down completely. "At least we can keep on producing and exporting our produce - citrus is coming into season and that is a big crop for South African exports," says Van Zyl.
Nxesi said inspectors will be deployed to monitor businesses.
“Employers must provide each employee, free of charge, with at least two cloth masks to wear while at work or while commuting.
“The employer maintains responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of PPEs [personal protective equipment].”
He added: “Whilst we depend with on the goodwill of the responsible employers, the works also have a responsibility.”
Last week President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a R500bn economic relief package in a bid to recover the economy.