COVID-19 Essential Back 2 Work Resources - The Business Lab

COVID-19 Essential
Back 2 Work Resources

Index

   1.   What is COVID-19?
   2.   Lockdown Levels Breakdown
   3.   Relief Aids Available
   4.   COVID-19 Data-less Online Training
   5.   Essential COVID-19 B2W Packages & Pricing

What is COVID-19?

Human Coronaviruses are common throughout the world. There are many different coronaviruses
identified in animals but only a small number of these can cause disease in humans.

On 7 January 2020, ‘Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2’ (SARS-CoV-2) was
confirmed as the causative agent of ‘Coronavirus Disease 2019’ or COVID-19. The majority of the
case-patients initially identified were dealers and vendors at a seafood, poultry and live wildlife
market in China. Since then, the virus has spread to more than 100 countries, including South
Africa.

Who is most at risk?

Currently, travellers to areas where there is ongoing sustained transmission of COVID-19
including Mainland China (all provinces), Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore,
Vietnam, Taiwan, Italy and the Islamic Republic of Iran are at greatest risk of infection.

Furthermore, the elderly, individuals with co-morbidities and healthcare workers have been found
to be at a higher risk of death.

How is it transmitted?

While the first cases probably involved exposure to an animal source, the virus now seems to be
spreading from person-to-person.

The spread of the disease is thought to happen mainly via respiratory droplets produced when an
infected person coughs or sneezes, similar to how influenza and other respiratory pathogens
spread. Thus far, the majority of cases have occurred in people with close physical contact to
cases and healthcare workers caring for patients with COVID-19.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory
illness with cough, sore throat, shortness of breath or fever.

The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is still not fully clear. Reported illnesses
have ranged from infected people with little to no symptoms to people being severely ill and
dying.

How is COVID-19 treated?

Treatment is supportive (providing oxygen for patients with shortness of breath or treating a
fever, for example). To date, there is no specific antiviral treatment available. Antibiotics do not
treat viral infections. However, antibiotics may be required if a bacterial secondary infection
develops.

How can you prevent infection?

The following can provide protection against infection from Coronaviruses and many other
viruses that are more common in South Africa:

    1. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water
       are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
    2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
    3. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    4. Stay at home when you are sick and try and keep a distance from others at home.
    5. Cover your cough or sneeze with a flexed elbow or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the
       bin.
    6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

What we are doing in South Africa?

 On 23 March 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a new measure to combat the
spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus in South Africa – a three-week nationwide lockdown with
severe restrictions on travel and movement, supported by the South African National Defence
Force – from midnight on Thursday, 26 March, to midnight on Thursday, 16 April. The President
said more needed to be done to avoid “an enormous catastrophe” among the population.

In essence, this meant people would only be allowed to leave their homes to buy food, seek
medical help or under other extreme circumstances.

The lockdown follows government regulations that limited public gatherings, travel from high-risk
countries and the sale of alcohol.

In addition, borders were closed to reduce the rate of infection from those travelling into South
Africa from other countries. A quarantine was also enforced on inbound travellers and returning
citizens.

For a live update on COVID-19 cases globally use the link below:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Lockdown Levels Breakdown

Minister of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi has gazetted a new directive outlining the occupational
health and safety measures for the reopening of workplaces in South Africa.

While most businesses were allowed to return to work from 1 June under the country’s level 3 lockdown,
the directive consolidates previous gazettes and revises rules based on current health and safety
information.

“In the period since the issuing of the guidelines, a clearer picture has emerged about Covid -19 and the
nature of the hazard and risk in the workplace and the precautions that should be taken to minimise the
risk,” Nxesi said in the directive’s preamble.

“The purpose of these directions is to stipulate measures that must be taken by employers in order to
protect the health and safety of workers and members of the public who enter their workplaces or are
exposed to their working activities.”

Nxesi added that these directives aim to give effect to the country’s level 3 lockdown rules which
were published on 29 May.

Some of the key points from the new directive are outlined below:

Workplace plan
The directive requires the development of a full plan outlining the protective measures in place for the
phased return of its employees before opening.

Among other things, this should include:

       The date that the workplace will open and the hours of opening;
       A list of employees permitted to return to work and those who are required to work from home;
       The plan and timetable for the phased-in return of employees to the workplace;
       Identify vulnerable employees;
       Ways of minimising the number of workers at the workplace at any one time;
       The measures for the daily screening of employees and the screening of clients, contractors and
        visitors to the workplace;
       The details of the Covid-19 compliance officer.

Administrative measures
The directive requires that businesses take a number of administrative measures including:

       It must take special measures to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 for vulnerable employees –
        including people over 60 and/or with comorbidities;
       It must notify all workers of the contents of this Direction and the manner in which it intends to
        implement it;
       It must notify its employees that if they are sick or have symptoms associated with Covid-19 that
        they must not come to work and to take paid sick leave in terms of section 22 of the BCEA;
       It must, as far as practicable, minimise the number of workers at the workplace at any given time
        through rotation, staggered working hours, shift systems, remote working arrangements or similar
        measures;
       It must inform the Department of Health if an employee contacts Covid-19 and determine the
        need to temporarily close the affected work area for decontamination.

Social distancing measures
Every employer must arrange the workplace to ensure minimal contact between workers and as far as
practicable ensure that there is a minimum of one and a half metres between workers while they are
working, for example, at their workstations.

       If it is not practicable to arrange work stations to be spaced at least one and a half metres apart,
        the employer must arrange physical barriers to be placed between work stations or erected on
        work stations to form a solid physical barrier between workers while they are working.
       When required, the employer should also supply the employee free of charge with appropriate PPE
        based on a risk assessment of the working place.
       Employers should also take measures to ensure social distancing including the workforce into
        groups or staggering break -times to avoid the concentration of workers in common areas.

Screening
The directive states that every employer must screen employees coming into work for Covid-19 symptoms.
These include:

       A cough;
       A sore throat;
       Shortness of breath (or difficulty in breathing);
       Loss of smell or taste.
       The directive also sets out the protocols for employees who presents symptoms as well the
        protocols for employees who have come into contact with someone who has Covid-19 in the
        workplace.

Important Rules for Returning to Work:
Some of the other key considerations in the directive include:
    Guidelines around sanitisers and the provision of masks;
    Rules around the ventilation of offices;
    Specific measures for workplaces which are open to the public;
    Specific measures for workplaces which have fewer than 10 employees;
    Rules around workplace inspections by the Department of Labour.

Relief Aids Available

TERS Application Link

https://uifecc.labour.gov.za/covid19/paymentStatusJsp?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0Lz05JP56QIVAWHmCh
1hXAUfEAAYASAAEgKFsPD_BwE

SMME Relief Fund

http://www.dsbd.gov.za/?p=3399

COVID-19 Data-Less Online Training

1. Essential COVID-19 B2W Packages & Pricing
   2.
Stand Alone Pricing

 Item                                    Price    >100     >1000    >10 000
 A2 COVID-19 Compliance Charts            R49     R 39      R 29      R19
 COVID-19 Manager Online Training        R 750    POR       POR       POR
 & Appointment
 Branded COVID-19 Employer                R99      POR      POR      POR
 Handbook & Guide
 Compiling Compliance File               R199      N/A      N/A      N/A
 Employee Online Training               R150pp    R150pp   R100pp   R50pp
 Labour Law COVID-19 Training            R 599     POR      POR      POR
 Supply of Basic PPE
 Infrared temperature Metres            R 1200
 3Ply Surgical masks                      R7       R6      R 5,50    R5
 3Ply Surgical Masks – Custom           R 16,50    R15      R14      R13
 branded (min 300)
 Face Masks Pleated 3Ply                  R10      R9      R9,50      R9
 Non-Woven
 Face masks Pleated 3Ply                 R 20      R18      R17      R16
 Washable
 3Ply Non-Woven Chin Strap               R16       R15     R14,50    R14
 Cone Moulded Respirator                 R40      R37,50    R35      R32
 100ml Sanitizer with atomizer and       R 28     R27,50    R27     R26,50
 custom label
 Hand Sanitiser 500ml                    R 50      R48      R47      R46
 Hand Sanitiser 500ml –                 R 51,50    R50      R49      R48
 Custom Brand
 Hand Sanitiser 5L                       R220     R215     R205      R200
 Hand Sanitiser 25L                     R1100     R1000    R950      R800
 Surface Disinfectant 25L               R 1000    R 900    R 850     R 800
 Face Shields                            R30       R25      R24       R22
 Foot Dispenser 500ml                   R 1200     POR      POR       POR
 Disposable Gown                         R120     R 115    R110      R107
 Disposable Over Shoes                   R10        R9       R8      R7,50
 Disposable Mop Caps                      R7        R6     R5, 50      R5

Essential B2W Packages

Basic COVID-19 B2W Kit

   1. COVID-19 Compliance Charts (2)
   2. COVID-19 Manager Online Training & Appointment
   3. COVID-19 Employer Handbook & Guide

R 899

Full COVID-19 B2W Kit

   1.    COVID-19 Compliance Charts
   2.    COVID-19 Manager Online Training & Appointment
   3.    COVID-19 Employer Handbook & Guide
   4.    Employee Online Training (5)
   5.    Compiling Compliance File

R999

Enhanced COVID-19 B2W KIT

   1.    COVID-19 Compliance Charts (5)
   2.    COVID-19 Manager Online Training & Appointment
   3.    COVID-19 Employer Handbook & Guide
   4.    Compiling Compliance File
   5.    Employee Online Training (TBA)
   6.    Supply of Basic PPE (5 x 3 Ply masks, 5 x Hand Sanitiser, 5 x Face Shields)
   7.    Labour Law COVID-19 Training (1) Webinar

R 2999