Given the continued Covid-19 infection and rising mortality rates, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) has re-emphasised its view that it is critical to proceed in reactivating the economy, though with enhanced mitigation measures against the spread of the virus.

The chamber implored South Africans to “work towards level three and below” and encouraged people to ensure the country does not regress back to level five, owing to a deteriorating Covid-19 pandemic situation.

As such, Sacci says that, while it accepts the standard protocol of screening and testing only those who are symptomatic, isolating and contact tracing, the chamber emphasises the view that, together with enhanced mitigation measures, “employees who are allowed back to work must not only be screened, but they must have been tested to give the assurance that they are not asymptomatic carriers of the virus”.

According to the chamber, this approach will have the additional benefit of enhancing workplace productivity, and the social mitigation of avoiding suspicions that can lead to workplace morale issues, owing to uncertainty on the shop floor.

“The reopening must be safe for both staff, suppliers, customers and the broader community,” it said in a statement on April 29.

Sacci further referred to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announced stimulus package and other measures, highlighting that government “should allocate the necessary resources to do this aggressive testing”.

The chamber believes this will assist the economy if the health authorities further explore the use of scientifically tested and regulatory approved Covid-19 rapid testing kits. 

However, it warned that “this should not be viewed as a cost” but rather be considered a “necessary investment” that will give us better traction and a sustainable programme of economic reactivation.

In summary, Sacci proposed seven measures as precedent conditions for the phased re-entry of any sector, including those in current operation. The first is that all workplaces should be deep cleaned, sanitised and disinfected before being allowed to reopen and the second that all employees should test negative before resuming or being allowed back at work.

Additionally, proposed measures include, but are not limited to, continuous regular screening of employees at work, and that all employees be provided with relevant personal protective gear (such as masks and gloves). 

Further, the chamber suggested that, in the absence of a cure or a vaccine, the timeline of this global pandemic remains unknown.

“We may well be dealing with a situation that can take many months to resolve, at great cost to the economy and livelihoods. Given this reality, we believe these proposed measures should go a long way to reopening phases of the economy, without leading to a negative and rapid cycle of Covid-19 infections,” CEO Alan Mukoki commented.