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Notice to SAPOA members Dear Members, SAPOA sent out three notices to the industry over the past two weeks with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the evolving nature of COVID-19, our information is subject to change as the information emerges on transmissibility and epidemiology. It is expected that the timing and intensity of virus activity will vary across South Africa and within provinces, i.e. some regions may experience sustained community transmission while others will only have isolated cases with limited personto-person transmission. A containment strategy, given the limited number of cases in South Africa, is more appropriate at this stage. As an industry in which our citizens interact daily at our offices and shopping centres, interventions that can be used to reduce and delay community transmission of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 need to be implemented and enforced immediately. By implementing and enforcing measures early, we seek to reduce the speed with which cases are occurring, to delay and to reduce the peak of the virus activity, thus reducing the demand for (and pressure on) healthcare services. The third notice, which we sent out in the week of 16 March focused on shopping centres, as well as detailed measures such as hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and environmental cleaning, which are the cornerstone public measures to protect individuals, their families and others against seasonal influenza and other respiratory viruses. The same measures are also effective when COVID-19 is circulating in the community. The application of these principles will help prevent and control transmission of any respiratory infectious disease, including COVID-19.
We urge you to apply these measures! 6
SOUTH AFRICAN PROPERTY REVIEW – APRIL 2020
Further to this, we have reviewed our operations as follows: 2020 SAPOA Convention After discussions with Sun City, our decision is not to hold any event involving more than 100 people until the end of July 2020. We have therefore moved the dates of the 2020 SAPOA Convention to 9 to 11 December 2020. Refunds will be provided to those who have registered for the suspended event; alternatively, we would advise that you remain registered for the event as it has not been cancelled but simply postponed. We are currently engaging directly with our speakers and sponsors with regards to rescheduling the Convention and enabling their participation in the future.
SAPOA events & academic courses We are suspending all face-to-face events and academic courses until further notice.
SAPOA Committee meetings The work undertaken by members who serve on our various Committees cannot be underestimated. We need to work together now more than ever. Any ideas, plans and projects regarding COVID-19 are welcome. All committee meetings will continue as scheduled, but will be held online or via teleconference. Staff will be in touch directly about these arrangements.
Government Liaison Committee Worldwide, governments are battling to deal with both a health crisis and an associated economic one. Our advocacy work is critical at this time. We are engaging with the government on this matter, and our work regarding issues affecting the industry continues as planned, for now.
Avoiding crowding Measures taken to reduce the amount of
