South Africa

Disaster Management Act, 2002

Directions Regarding Measures to Address, Prevent and Combat the Spread of COVID-19 Relating to the Biodiversity Sector

Government Notice 591 of 2021

  • Published in Government Gazette no. 44807 on 5 July 2021

  • Assented to on 3 July 2021

  • Commenced on 5 July 2021

  • [Up to date as at 16 July 2021]

  1. [Amended by Directions Regarding Measures to Address, Prevent and Combat the Spread of COVID-19 Relating to Biodiversity Sector: Amendment (Government Notice 619 of 2021) on 16 July 2021]

I, Barbara Dallas Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment hereby issue the Directions set out in the Schedule in terms of regulation 4(10) of the Regulations issued by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002) and published on 29 April 2020 in Government Notice No. R. 480 of Government Gazette No. 43258 as amended.Barbara Dallas CreecyMinister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment

1. Definitions

In this Schedule, unless the context indicates otherwise—"the Directions for live biodiversity auctions" means the Directions regarding Measures to Address, Prevent and Combat the Spread of Covid-19 relating to biodiversity auctions, published on 07 October 2020 in Government Notice No. 1064 of Government Gazette No. 43778; and"the Regulations" means the Regulations issued in terms of section 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act and published under Government Notice No. R.480 of 29 April 2020, as amended by Government Notices Nos. R. 608 of 28 May 2020, R. 714 of 25 June 2020, R. 763 of 12 July 2020, R. 846 of 31 July 2020, R. 891 of 17 August 2020, No. 999 of 18 September 2020, No. 1011 of 20 September 2020; No. 1053 of 01 October 2020, No. 1104 of 21 October 2020, No. 1199 of 11 November 2020, No. 1290 of 03 December 2020, No. 1346 of 15 December 2020, No. 1370 of 17 December 2020, No. 1421 of 24 December 2020, No. 1423 of 29 December 2020, No. 1435 of 29 December 2020, No.11 of 11 January 2021, No. R. 69 of 01 February 2021, No. R. 92 of 13 February 2021, No. R. 93 of 13 February 2021, No. R. 152 of 28 February 2021, No. R. 284 of 30 March 2021, No. R. 376 of 22 April 2021, No. R. 477 of 30 May 2021, No. R. 530 of 15 June 2021, No. R. 532 of 17 June 2021, No. R. 565 of 27 June 2021 and No. R. 567 of 29 June 2021 and R. 610 of 11 July 2021.[definition of "the Regulations" substituted by section 2 of Government Notice 619 of 2021]


2. Purpose

The purpose of these Directions is to—(a)minimise the threat of spreading COVID-19 during the carrying out of activities or the rendering of services permitted in terms of the Regulations; and(b)suspend the application of the Directions for live biodiversity auctions.


3. Activities

(a)All activities specifically restricted or prohibited in terms of the Regulations remain restricted or prohibited, as the case may be.(b)Inter-provincial travel to or from Gauteng is permitted for hunting with the primary purpose of obtaining meat for consumption, and culling.(c)Game parks, botanical gardens, zoos and aquaria are open to the public.(d)Subparagraphs (b) and (c) are subject to—(i)any other restrictions or prohibitions imposed by the Regulations, or by any other applicable Directions issued by the relevant Cabinet member; and(ii)the necessary health and safety protocols imposed by the Regulations, and where applicable any relevant sector-specific health and safety protocols.


3A. Live biodiversity auctions

(1)(a)Only the host of the auction, the owner or manager of the auction venue, owners of biodiversity specimens to be sold at the auction, the representatives or employees of the afore-mentioned persons, and persons who intend to bid at the auction, may attend the auction.(b)Persons attending biodiversity auctions are limited to 50 persons or less, provided that no more than 50 percent of the capacity of the venue is used, or as may be amended in the Regulations from time to time.
(2)The host of the auction, the owner or manager of the auction venue and their employees or representatives must ensure compliance with the Regulations, as well as these Directions.
(3)The host of the auction or the owner or manager of the auction venue must—(a)at least 48 hours before the auction, inform all attendees of the auction of the COVID-19 measures to be complied with;(b)display marked boards and distribute other information at the auction, to inform the attendees about the risks associated with COVID-19 and the necessary and compulsory measures to mitigate such risks; and(c)conduct inspections, before and during the auction, to ensure that the health protocols are being observed by the attendees of the auction.
(4)When live biodiversity auctions are conducted, the following health protocols must be complied with:(a)Each attendee must be screened before entering the auction venue, and those with COVID-19 symptoms, or who have had recent contact with a person who contracted COVID-19, or who refuse to comply with the health and safety requirements of an auction, must be denied access;(b)the auctioneer must keep a register of each attendee, for contact tracing purposes, containing the following information:(i)name and surname;(ii)physical address;(iii)contact number (home, work and cellular, where possible); and(iv)temperature measured;(c)the auction venue must be disinfected before and after each auction event;(d)all surfaces must be disinfected regularly with a disinfectant containing an alcohol base, which includes the wiping of all handrails that are touched;(e)each person must wear a face mask;(f)social distancing of at least 1.5 meters must be maintained;(g)personal contact between individuals must be avoided;(h)persons who refuse or fail to comply with the safety and health measures of the auction must be removed from the auction venue; and(i)all staff and attendees must—(i)have access to sanitizer and handwash facilities at the auction venue;(ii)wash their hands for at least 20 seconds on a regular basis;(iii)when sneezing, cover their mouths to avoid infecting other persons; and(iv)if a person shows any symptoms associated with COVID-19, be referred for testing.
(5)Attendance of live biodiversity auctions is subject to such other restrictions or prohibitions imposed by the Regulations or other Directions.[paragraph 3A inserted by section 3 of Government Notice 619 of 2021]


4. Suspension of the application of the Directions for live biodiversity auctions

The provisions of the Directions for live biodiversity auctions are suspended for the duration of Adjusted Alert Level 4.[paragraph 4 amended by section 4 of Government Notice 619 of 2021]


5. Commencement

These Directions come into effect on the date of publication in the Government Gazette.

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