{"id":382297,"date":"2020-03-17T10:10:41","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T08:10:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=382297"},"modified":"2020-03-17T10:10:41","modified_gmt":"2020-03-17T08:10:41","slug":"social-distancing-what-south-africas-government-wants-you-to-avoid-and-what-is-safe-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/382297\/social-distancing-what-south-africas-government-wants-you-to-avoid-and-what-is-safe-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Social distancing: what South Africa’s government wants you to avoid, and what is safe to do"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since declaring the coronovirus a national disaster in South Africa, the messaging from government and leaders at large has been to encourage social distancing.<\/p>\n

As part of the move to curb the spread of the virus, president Cyril Ramaphosa announced that gatherings of over 100 people in the country would be banned, causing some mild panic among the populace.<\/p>\n

It also raised questions among communities and families – can spiritual services still be attended? Can people still go out for dinner to restaurants? What about work?<\/p>\n

In legal terms, the prohibition of gatherings does not apply to workplaces, but instead refers to gatherings under the Regulation of Gatherings Act, which looks at the assembly of people for a common purpose.<\/p>\n

This related to events, sporting activities, conferences and the like. Things like schools, universities and churches are not regulated by the Act, but leaders of these institutions are making their own declarations in the spirit of social distancing.<\/p>\n

Social distancing<\/strong><\/p>\n

Social distancing is a social concept, not a hard-line regulation with enforced rules. It\u2019s a broad measure to slow down the spread of infections, which will help officials curb transmission. This leaves it open to interpretation for individuals to assess the risks associated with any activity they choose to do.<\/p>\n

The Department of Health has provided its own guidelines for what to avoid, or be cautious around where possible \u2013 but none of these recommendations are currently enforced.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s up to individuals and communities to opt-in to the concepts to best serve their families and wider communities.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

It is in-line with the ideals of social distancing that many businesses have opted to let their employees work from home, where possible.<\/p>\n

Some social spaces, such as theatres have also temporarily closed to avoid having large groups of people in one place, while others, like gyms, are ramping up santisation measures to help with business continuity.<\/p>\n

Schools have closed early, and universities have suspended contact lectures – all in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus.<\/p>\n

Currently, no laws or regulations in place forcing individuals and family units into isolation. The guidelines published by the health department are recommendations, and are highly encouraged.<\/p>\n

According to finance minister Tito Mboweni, businesses should try their best to take precautions instead of shutting down to protect economic activity.<\/p>\n

Minister of finance, Tito Mboweni called on South Africans not to panic so as to keep the economy moving.<\/p>\n

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Min @tito_mboweni<\/a> : Our primary objective is that the economy mustn’t grind to a halt. It must continue to operate because if econ grinds to a halt, we’ve got less tax revenue. Less tax rev means we’re not able to finance all activities we want to finance. #COVID19SouthAfrica<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 National Treasury (@TreasuryRSA) March 17, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n