Businesses can’t just unilaterally open for trade.
BUSINESSES in Kimberley have been warned that they are still subject to the regulations of the Disaster Management Act and cannot open their businesses unilaterally for trade.
This follows a notice sent by the provincial head of Visible Policing, Brigadier Brink, to the Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nocci) regarding the opening of car washing businesses and tyre dealers.
In the notice, it is pointed out that under the Disaster Manager Act only specifically identified businesses may commence with operations.
Dealers in tyres may only operate if they are providing components for vehicles undergoing emergency repairs.
“No dealer in tyres may operate freely and keep their business open and render a service to the public in general,” the notice states.
Nocci is further requested to engage with its members to cease unilateral trading.
Nocci CEO Sharon Steyn said many businesses in Kimberley opened their doors to trading after lockdown Level 5 was lifted. “There are a lot of businesses that are suffering financially and fears have been expressed that more people will die from starvation than from the virus.”
She added that businesses that did open needed to ensure that they abided with the Covid 19 regulations.
“If you walk down Jones Street, it is as though it is business as usual and this is not right. We understand that businesses are taking major strain and that unemployment is going to skyrocket but, at the same time, we need to be aware of the necessary precautions. Some businesses are operating without masks and not keeping the necessary registers of people coming into their shops or ignoring social distancing,” said Steyn.
Members of the public have also been warned on various social media platforms that domestics and gardeners are also only allowed to work in certain circumstances.
In terms of the Level 4 lockdown regulations gazetted on April 29, 2020, live-in staff and staff who provide care to the sick, mentally ill, elderly, people with disabilities and children, may return to work in private households, subject to strict health care protocols and social distancing rules.
No “live-out” domestic worker whose duties do not include caregiving as stated above may return to work. Not even for Level 4 permitted workers. This was part of the provisional regulations but was removed on publication of the Government Gazette.
This means that childminders can return to work, but domestic workers cannot.
Gardening services are not allowed under Level 4.
