Tag: COVID-19

On 18 May 2020, the Competition Commission published its final Buyer Power Guidelines (the guidelines). Earlier this year, the new buyer power provisions of the Competition Act 89 of 1998 (the Act) came into effect. These provisions prohibit dominant buyers in designated sectors from imposing unfair prices or trading conditions on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and firms owned and controlled by historically disadvantaged persons (HDP).

Tourism is a significant sector. It directly and indirectly supports 8,6% of South Africa’s GDP. Its economic activity encompasses all non-commuter passenger travel, car hire, a wide range of accommodation types, a vast array of activities and attractions, conference centres, retail and restaurants and services such as tour operators, travel agents, conference and event organisers and the like.

Pursuant to a circular published by the Council of Medical Schemes (CMS) on 26 March 2020 (the Circular), declaring COVID-19 a prescribed minimum benefit, as that term is defined in the Medical Schemes Act No. 131 of 1998 (MSA), the Minister of the Health has amended the MSA to align with the Circular. 

Cyber security and privacy risks should be the top priority for any business at present, especially whilst trying to accommodate all staff in their new remote working environments. In the rush to get everybody working from home, security probably wasn’t top of mind and this presents a major threat for many businesses and people working from home for the first time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked financial havoc throughout the nation, leaving many small business owners struggling in its wake. According to our research, 86% of small businesses said they had suffered negative effects as a result of the pandemic and only 14% of small business owners said they had experienced limited effects.

With the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown finally starting to wind down after five long weeks, many businesses now find themselves having to coordinate the restart of their operations. A major part of this is ensuring that employees can return to work, which comes with many challenges considering the host of rules and regulations introduced at the start of the Level 4 phase of the national lockdown.

The scale of the national COVID-19 lockdown is unprecedented in living memory. The repercussions – personal, professional, national and international – will reverberate for years to come. As entrepreneurs, we need to be making the right decisions for right now to ensure that our businesses and our people’s livelihoods do not become another casualty of the virus.

As member states of the World Health Organization prepare to gather in Geneva on May 18th for the World Health Assembly, a global coalition of 31 think tanks calls on governments to commit to open trade, collaboration and innovation in the fight against Covid-19 and future disease outbreaks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a global impact. The South African government has been applauded by the World Health Organisation for its quick response to curb the spread of the COVID-19 in its early stages, and prepare its health care system to better respond to the pandemic.

South Africans were hit with a shocking new wave of corona virus cases as the number of reported people with the virus in the country passes the 12,000 mark. As much as we have been told that despite the lockdown measures the numbers are set to rise, we can't help but feel overwhelmed each time a press statement is released showing an increase in the number of people found positive with the virus.