Tag: COVID-19

While people who contract COVID-19 (corona virus) who are under the age of 80 and do not have any pre-existing conditions - such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, hypertension or cancer - are most likely to experience only flu-like symptoms, those who are over 80 years’ of age or individuals with pre-existing conditions are certainly at a much greater risk.

The President’s address on the evening of 15 March 2020 sets out a range of measures that have been and will have to be taken in respect of COVID-19. Specifically, under the banner of the Disaster Management Act he proclaimed a national state of disaster (Section 27).

The out-break of Covid-19, which originated in China and has since spread to most of the world, is one of the most serious threats to public health in recent times and has now been designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation.

The Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (BCEA) regulates sick leave entitlement. In terms of section 22 of the BCEA, the 'sick leave cycle' means the period of 36 months’ employment with the same employer immediately following an employee’s commencement of employment. 

The COVID-19 emergency has prompted much media coverage, panic in some quarters and severe market falls. At a time like this, it is vital that organisations act rationally.

According to the latest Employment Outlook Survey, South African employers report limited hiring intentions for the second quarter of 2020. While 8% of employers forecast an increase in payrolls, 5% anticipate a decrease and 85% expect to make no changes. Once the data is adjusted to allow for seasonal variation, the overall outlook for South Africa stands at +2%, unchanged from the previous quarter.

The Department of Health has confirmed the first case of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in South Africa. There is a strong likelihood that there will be other cases of COVID-19 across the country. Naturally, employers will need to bear in mind various employment and health and safety considerations to manage the risk of COVID-19 in the workplace.

Fears around the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has spilled into financial markets. The coronavirus outbreak has rapidly approached global pandemic levels, and given the knock-on effects of the virus on economic growth, the fireworks in markets were inevitable.

On first blush there is ample reason to be miserable. The economic data released earlier this week has once again confirmed that South Africa is in a recession. An investment downgrade is more likely to happen than not to, and the lack of tangible progress in South Africa gives little reason to cheer. Add load shedding, crime and the fact that the Corona Virus is around the corner, and one must wonder why more of us aren’t medicated. I imagine it’s partly because we can no longer afford it.

The spread of coronavirus, COVID-19, beyond China has created fresh uncertainty for the global growth outlook and sparked volatility in financial markets. Outbreaks in South Korea, Iran and Italy have raised concerns that the spread outside of China may be accelerating.