All licences will be extended until after the Lockdown

DON’T WORRY if your car or driver’s licences are due to expire during #LockDownSA.

All licences, including driver’s and learner’s licences, car licence disks, roadworthy certificates, temporary permits and professional driving permits will be extended until after the lockdown period.

You’ll have 30 days grace period after lockdown to renew expired licences.

Celebrating our Essential Services Workers

We’re so grateful to everyone undertaking those essential services that may put them in harm’s way. The health professionals working hard to treat the ill and #StopTheSpread. Our law enforcement officers trying to keep you safe (and encourage you to stay home). The supermarket staff helping to ensure you can still buy essentials. Our farmers and farmworkers who continue to feed a nation.

And YOU! For staying at home and putting your health and wellbeing first. #ThankYou!

The Risks of Spreading the Coronavirus/COVID-19

The Head of the Western Cape Health Department has issued an appeal to the public (if you are healthy) to not wear gloves and masks, due to the risks these items pose in spreading the #Coronavirus if not used properly.

Scientific evidence proves that by wearing a mask, if it is not needed, you may put yourself at higher risk because you fiddle with the mask and then transfer germs from your hands to your face. Wearing a mask or gloves when going to the supermarket or pharmacy to buy essentials, is ineffective, unnecessary, and will not protect you from the Coronavirus. In fact, it can spread infection faster.

INSTEAD PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE, don’t touch your face, and stick to the #SocialDistancing rules (1,5m between people).

(Healthcare professionals who are in direct contact with, or caring for a person who is confirmed or suspected to have #COVID19 must make use of masks and gloves and other personal protective equipment.)

If you do not feel well, stay at home. If you have flu-like symptoms, call the national hotline on 0800 029 999 or the provincial hotline at 021 928 4102.

Let's assist local Law Enforcement

To all communities and visitors to our beautiful district, please stay at home and thereby prevent the spread of #COVID19. To assist local law enforcement and the SAPS, the provincial SAPS structure will deploy additional support.

If you’re driving your car during #LockDownSA, the number of passengers who can join you is limited. If you’re driving a private car and your car can carry 5 people (including the driver), ONLY 3 people will be allowed in the car (the driver and 2 passengers). Buses and taxis can only carry 50% of the licensed capacity. Be sure to stick to all the necessary hygiene guidelines in your vehicle.

Please do your part, stay at home AND adhere to law enforcement agencies - they are here to HELP us.

A Reminder of Services Still Available to You

Here’s a reminder of the services that will remain open during the 21-day LockDownSA period that you'll be able to access in the Overberg:

• The police, metro police and emergency services will continue to operate.
• Healthcare services such as hospitals, clinics, doctors, pharmacies and laboratories will remain open.
• Banks and essential financial and payment services, including the JSE will remain open.
• Supermarkets will remain open so that you can continue to care for yourself and your family.
• Petrol stations will remain open.
• Companies that are essential to the production and transportation of food, basic goods and medical supplies will remain open.

Remember, if you do visit any of these places and institutions, practice Social Distancing. Get in and out as quickly as possible. And try to go alone if possible.

An easy step-by-step guide for employers looking to make use of this opportunity

The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) has taken steps to fast-track the the processing of their existing benefits to workers. They have also announced possible financial assistance to employer/s that had to enforce lock down.  #LockDownSA. #Corona

As such, the UIF will help affected workers through existing benefits including illness, reduced work time, unemployment and Coronavirus Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (COVID19TERS) benefits.

The Department of Employment and Labour has provided an easy step-by-step guide for employers looking to make use of this opportunity. Here’s the full department guide: COVID-19 TERS Easy Aid

For more info, email: covid19ters@labour.gov.za