Business for SA’s Public Health Workgroup is calling on all companies, especially those in lockdown, to urgently divert their stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) for use in the national healthcare sector. The PPE is critically needed to protect frontline doctors and healthcare workers, and to keep them healthy in their fight against the pandemic.
Contact: Covid19supplies@businessresponsecovid19.co.za
List of PPE required:
– Masks (N95 Grade)
– Surgical masks
– Latex-free gloves (do not need to be sterile); preferably nitrile
– Plastic aprons
– Visors and goggles for eye protection
– Gowns and suits
– Overshoes.
Besides this urgent call to companies, the workgroup is driving efforts to boost local manufacturing and production where possible, and also expanding the sourcing from global suppliers. Securing stocks from companies that already have these available, especially those that are not currently using them, will provide much needed immediate assistance.
Throughout South Africa, there are storerooms of PPE that could be used as part of the emergency response. This includes stocks that are held by companies in the manufacturing, forestry and agriculture, construction, mills, spray painting, mining and signwriting industries, amongst others.
We urge all company owners, store keepers, supervisors, operators, and especially occupational health and HSE managers, who have access to PPE stocks, to contact us with the following information:
– What stocks do you have?
– How many units of each?
– Which manufacturer’s brand?
– Where are they (i.e. where in SA)?
– Are they sterile or non-sterile? (we will sterilise).
Please send the information to: Covid19supplies@businessresponsecovid19.co.za
REMINDER TO COMPANIES TO PROVIDE STAFF IN ESSENTIAL SERVICES WITH PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)
All employers are reminded of their responsibility to provide adequate PPE for frontline employees such as cashiers, drivers, packers etc. We need to protect all of those who are providing services during this pandemic.
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOP) UNDER REBATE ITEM 412.11
There are important guidelines, rules and conditions pertaining to permits issued under rebate item 412.11/00.00/01.00 for goods imported for the relief of distress of persons in cases of famine or national disaster; under any technical assistance agreement or in terms of an obligation under multilateral international agreement.
Rebate item 412.11/00.00/01.00 of Schedule No. 4, Part 2 of the Customs and Excise Act No. 91 of 1964 (Customs and Excise Act) makes provision for rebate of the full duty on the:
“Importation of goods imported for the relief of distress of persons in cases of famine or other national disaster; under any technical assistance agreement or in terms of an obligation under any multilateral international agreement to which a Republic is a party provided that the importation of any goods under this rebate item shall be subject to a certificate issued by International Trade Administration Commission and to such other conditions as may be agreed upon by the Governments of the Republic, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia; and goods imported under this item shall not be sold or disposed of to any part who is not entitled to any privileges under the rebate item, or be removed to the area of Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland or Namibia without the permission of the Commissioner.”
There are two SOPs that provide applicants with the necessary information needed to apply for imports under the abovementioned rebate item.
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Business importing Critical Supplies during the National State of Disaster. This is for businesses wishing to obtain a permit to import goods under rebate item 412.11 (see attached)
• Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Business to request an update of critical supplies under COVID-19 project as managed on HS Supplies List under ITAC and SARS. This is for businesses that wish to add products to the list established under rebate item 412.11 (see attached as well as application form related to this SOP)
SOLIDARITY FUND UPDATE
The Solidarity Fund, established by President Ramaphosa will be a rapid response vehicle through which individuals and organisations will be able to support South Africa’s mobilisation against COVID-19 through secure, tax-deductible donations. The Chairperson of the Fund is Ms Gloria Serobe and the Vice Chairperson is Mr Adrian Enthoven and will operate with the highest principles of corporate governance. All activities will be reported in a transparent manner.
Details on how to donate are available on the Fund’s website www.solidarityfund.co.za
OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES ON COVID-19
All official government regulations and guidelines are available at https://www.gov.za/coronavirus/guidelines
OFFICIAL RESOURCES:
NICD website: http://www.nicd.ac.za
COVID-19 information website: https://sacoronavirus.co.za
Coronavirus 24-hour Hotline: 0800 029 999
Coronavirus WhatsApp: 060 012 3456
BUSINESS FOR SOUTH AFRICA | www.businessforsa.org
Business for South Africa fully supports the decisive action taken by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government to help mitigate the health, labour market and economic impacts of the coronavirus. As organised business, we are actively collaborating with government to use business resources and capacity to support public sector initiatives. We have mobilised volunteer resources from across South Africa business bodies and organisations, member companies large and small, professional services firms as well as communication specialists, to form focused working groups that are driving a coordinated and proactive programme to mitigate the economic, social and health impacts of COVID-19 on South Africa.