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!

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.

time individuals spend in large crowds or in crowded spaces can be effective in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in a community. It is recognised that, while this intervention may reduce the viral transmission, the feasibility of avoiding crowds is uncertain as crowding occurs in large cities daily (for example on public transportation, in subways, at airports and in shopping centres).

Discretionary gatherings, such as churches and theatres, might be left to individual groups, but we appeal to shopping centre owners to consider measures to reduce the viral transmission.

The workplace To assist you with strategies that you may consider implementing in your workplace, we recommend the following: ● Increase your awareness – and communication to staff – about COVID-19. ● Encourage the use of individual measures such as frequent hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette and self-isolation when ill. ● Evaluate the workplace for areas where people have frequent contact with one another, and share spaces and objects. ● Workplace settings should identify possible COVID-19 exposure risks and mitigation approaches. Although not conclusive, there may be benefit to increasing the spatial separation between desks and workstations as well as individuals (e.g. employees and customers). Ideally, a two-metre separation should be maintained, unless there is a physical barrier (e.g. cubicle or Plexiglas window). ● Workplaces and other similar community settings are encouraged to increase the frequency of cleaning of frequently touched surfaces (e.g. phones, elevator buttons, computers, desks, lunch tables, kitchens, washrooms, cash registers, seating areas, credit-card machines, surface counters and customerservice counters). ● Provide access to hand-washing facilities and place hand-sanitising dispensers in prominent locations throughout the workplace, if possible.

● Consider providing additional tissues should someone develop respiratory symptoms. If symptoms develop, the person should immediately be separated from others, instructed on respiratory etiquette and sent home (not using public transit, if possible). ● Where feasible, adjustments to policies and procedures may be put in place to reduce social contact, such as teleworking arrangements, flexible hours, staggering start times, use of email and teleconferencing. ● For business travel, employers should be aware of the latest information on COVID-19-affected areas and any travel health advisories. The risks and benefits related to upcoming business travel should be assessed, and consideration given to alternative approaches such as virtually attending meetings. International business travellers returning from affected areas should self-monitor for symptoms and follow advice provided by Public Health officials regarding the recommended actions. ● Employers should prepare for increases in absenteeism, due to illness among employees and their families and extended school closures. Employers should access their business continuity plans, which should include a plan for ways of maintaining key business functions if faced with high absenteeism. Consideration should also be given to the need for cross-training personnel to function in key positions. ● The selection of measures will depend on the company and the type of work; some measures (e.g. cancellation or closures) may have significant economic consequences, and decisions made based on a risk-benefit analysis.

Membership Zanoxolo Maseko membership@sapoa.org.za

Events Puseletso Dube events@sapoa.org.za

Education Mafonti Morobi eduofficer@sapoa.org.za

Public Relations Maud Nale profficer@sapoa.org.za

Marketing Jane Padayachee marketingmanager@sapoa.org.za

Finance Susan du Toit finance@sapoa.org.za

Legal Tsholofelo Tshwagong legal@sapoa.org.za

We are in an extremely challenging period in the world, our country and our industry. We remain committed to supporting our members – and we thank you for your continued support.