POLITICS

Agicultural sector should adhere to COVID-19 precautionary measures – Agri SA

Virus can only be tackled through an integrated and global approach

Agri SA calls on agricultural sector to adhere to COVID-19 precautionary measures

16 March 2020

Agri SA welcomes the announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare the COVID-19 outbreak as a national state of disaster. This pandemic not only impacts on the day to day business of all sectors, but it poses a serious health hazard to all South Africans.

There is currently a process underway at NEDLAC (National Economic Development and Labour Council) to establish a more comprehensive response regarding the COVID-19 disaster declaration. The various ministerial departments will meet today to develop a contingency plan to mitigate the impact of this disaster. Agri SA will communicate continuously on this process and how government aims to effectively deal with this outbreak.

Agri SA calls on the agricultural sector to adhere to the precautionary measures as announced by the government to curb the spread of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is not just an epidemiological problem, but a global health problem.

It can only be tackled through an integrated and global approach. Let us work together to prevent any action that may lead to the spread of the virus. The following guidelines were developed by Agri SA in corporation with guidelines published by the World Health Organisation to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all: https://www.agrisa.co.za/news/a737c26fd4986b9f5bc5f3424d7a50c8

Issued by Christo van der Rheede, Agri SA Deputy Executive Director, 16 March 2020