National Treasury today published guidelines for national government departments for a proposed Special Adjustment Budget which seeks to modify the 2020/21 national budget to redirect funding to provide for the rapidly changing economic conditions and enable spending on the COVID-19 response. A revised fiscal framework will also be presented, to account for substantial revenue losses emanating from the economic shock of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown.
The response package identifies broad areas of funding, which cuts across multiple programmes and departments. To ensure that funds are efficiently allocated, departments will be required to indicate resource requirements to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Such proposals must be aligned to the response package as announced by the President and presented by the Minister of Finance in the “Economic Measures for COVID-19” which was published on 30 April 2020.
For more information about the guidelines and the timeline, go to Special Amendment Budget Guidelines
DTI RELEASES DIRECTIVE FOR CLOTHING RETAILERS
The Department of Trade and Industry has published a directive for clothing retailers to clarify the list of items which may be sold during the lockdown period. The detailed list was compiled in collaboration with stakeholders from the textile and retail industries
To view the list, go to http://www.gpwonline.co.za/Gazettes/Pages/Published-Separate-Gazettes.aspx
BUSINESS FOR SOUTH AFRICA PARTNERS WITH SADAG, PsySSA TO PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND GUIDELINES
Business for South Africa (B4SA) recognises that business leaders and their employees are facing significant challenges, not only in terms of the economic impact of COVID-19, but also the feelings of anxiety, worry and distress many people are experiencing in relation to the pandemic. In an effort to help companies navigate through this difficult and unprecedented time, B4SA has partnered with the SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) to hold an online seminar which offers insights, resources and support.
Mental health impacts can be cumulative; business owners, managers, employees, workers and their families are absorbing a disproportionate amount of stress and anxiety from a combination of financial and business sustainability and job security concerns, isolation from family, friends and colleagues, together with the toll of the actual or perceived risk of infection.
In order to assist business, several valuable guidelines have been developed in partnership with SADAG and PsySSA to help businesses manage the mental health impacts of COVID-19. To access the document, go to Mental Health Support and Guidelines
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OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND GUIDELINES ON COVID-19
All official government regulations and guidelines are available at https://www.gov.za/coronavirus/guidelines