COVID-19: Direct impact of the Coronavirus on the workplace

Herewith a summary of decisions with regards to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) announced at the special Nedlac executive committee meeting held on 16 March 2020:

• Health and safety risk assessments need to be conducted in all workplaces. Guidelines and checklists in this regard will be made available on www.labour.gov.za.
• Employers are expected to implement extremely strict hygiene provisions (facilities for hand washing are imperative).
• If an employee needs to self-isolate due to international travel or exposure to an infected individual, such self-isolation period will be compensated by the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) as special leave (unpaid).
• If a business needs to close due to potential exposure, the UIF will send officials to workplaces to assist with registering the UIF claims of employees.
• Assistance will be available to businesses that become distressed due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). This will be made available by the National Treasury - no details are available yet.
• Employees who contract the virus during their employment will have a claim in terms of the compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA).

As forms and other resources become available, it will be distributed to members immediately.