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- employers and workers should use this planning guidance to help identify
risk levels in workplace settings and to determine any appropriate control

measures to implement.

- updating plans to address the specific exposure risks, sources of exposure,
routes of transmission, and other unique characteristics of respiratory
infections;

- in the case of suspected exposure contact the coronavirus hotline in South

Africa: 0800 02 9999;
- South Africa also has a WhatsApp platform for Covid-19 information and

advice, which is accessed by sending "hi" to 060 012 3456;
- special phone number - 112 for emergencies;

- calls and SMSs to that number will be free, Icasa decreed.

- in terms of the regulations, the short code number will be put to use for
three months after the end of South Africa's national state of disaster.

Certifying absence from work

In relation to COVID-19, SAPPO should:
• Use discretion on the need for medical evidence for a period of
absence where an employee is advised to self-isolate due to suspected
COVID-19 and follow advice provided by the national authorities.
• Ensure that sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public

health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.

• Talk with companies that provide contract staff (such as cleaning) about
the importance of sick workers staying home and encourage them to

develop non-punitive leave policies.
• Not require a healthcare provider’s note for workers who are sick with

flu-like symptoms to validate their illness or to return to work, as
healthcare provider offices and medical facilities may be extremely
busy and not able to provide such documentation in a timely way.

• SAPPO should maintain flexible policies that permit employees to stay at
home to care for a sick or dependent family member, as more
employees might need to do this than is usual.

Advice on how to Self-Isolate:

There may be many causes for a raised temperature, but you have been

requested to go home and isolate until you have consulted with a medical

doctor and or tested negative for COVID-19.

This is to protect both you and your co-workers and to prevent the potential

spread of the infection.

• Please stay at home and consult virtually with your doctor or SAPPO.
• Don’t come back to work, avoid travel and avoid close interactions with

other people (even the people of your household).

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