Due to global shortages of PPE such as respirators, the CDC says that masks can be re-used up to 5 times provided they are not contaminated and are stored properly.
No, while mask decontamination strategies which show that the use of steam and Liquid Hydrogen Peroxide may be used for this purpose are actively being investigated by the CDC, this is not recommended. But there is a storage method available.
It would be a good idea to have 2 masks in ‘circulation’ at all times. This is so there will always be a “clean” mask available when you need to go out.
The CDC says that prolonged N95 mask use can be safe for up to 8 hours (provided they aren’t visibly damaged or dirty) but this depends on the manufacturer, so it's important to read the manual that will come with it.
Counterfeit PPE equipment has become a problem during the Covid-19 pandemic so you can test the authenticity of an N95 respirator by performing one of the following tests.
These guidelines come as government gradually reopens the economy under level 4 of lockdown while ensuring that the spread of COVID-19 is contained.
Under these guidelines, returning employees must wear masks at work. Employers must also require members of the public entering a workplace to wear masks.
Employers must provide each employee, free of charge, with at least two cloth masks to wear while at work or commuting.
Smokers are likely to be more vulnerable to COVID-19 as the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increases the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth. Smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.
Smoking products such as water pipes often involve the sharing of mouth pieces and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of COVID-19 in communal and social settings.
No, beneficiaries who have been receiving benefit payments prior to the lockdown will continue to receive them without needing to go to the Labour Centre - provided the benefits have not been exhausted.
No, all labour centres are closed during this period. However, each province has a dedicated email address to deal with new and pending normal applications and enquiries to avoid movement to Labour Centres -
Employers have the right to let employees stay at home during the lockdown, but they need to help employees with the application process for the Covid-19 TERS Relief Benefit so that employees do not lose their income.
This shouldn’t be a problem. The online platform makes the administrative process much easier, so applications received online (if complete and accurate) won’t take long to fulfil.
The UIF receives assistance from institutions such as Banks, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), and Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator to assist in simplifying the process.
Applicants will be checked against the national UIF’s systems and if the employee is not registered with UIF or the Compensation Fund, the application will be returned along with a request for additional information from the employer.
