Tourism Sector Recovery – submit by 12:00 on 14 May 2020
As part of the development of the tourism sector’s recovery plan, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and South African Tourism are calling on the sector to make submissions on how we can collectively de-risk the tourism industry. This is to ensure that the plan reflects perspectives from across our diverse sector.
➔ Watch the Webinar
➔ View the presentation
➔ Participate in the survey by Thursday, 14 May 2020 at 12:00.
Free webinar on 14 May 2020: COVID-19: Tool Kit for Employers and Employees during lockdown
What you should know about TERS, salary cuts, retrenchments and health & safety in the workplace
Thursday, 14 May 2020 from 13:00 to 14:00
The COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdown have launched companies, employers and employees across South Africa into a minefield of unfamiliar working conditions with stringent new regulations that cut across multiple areas of employment and labour law. Join experts from Fluxmans Attorneys as they discuss the implications, provide relief and help employers and employees navigate their way.
➔ Register to join the webinar
Register as an essential service
Only enterprises which produce and/or provide, and/or distribute goods and services listed in the Disaster Management regulations are exempted from the restrictions contemplated in the regulation issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act.
➔ List of essential business services
➔ Register as an essential service on the CIPC Bizportal.
Healthcare professionals registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, sole proprietors who provide essential goods and services (like spaza shops), and small-scale farmers do not have to register through the Bizportal.
COVID-19 UIF Relief
Many of our members are struggling to obtain UIF payments in full and on time. The TTA has collated these concerns and communicated this though the various channels for rectification. However, we would like to remind you of changes in the application procedure, and therefore encourage you to use the information below to ensure that you have followed the correct submission procedures.
Herewith the updated information on the UIF Relief Guide for employers, including processing of the UIF relief claims.
- UIF Easy-Aid Guide for Employers.
- UI-2.1 Application for Unemployment Benefits in Terms of Section 17(1)
- UI-2.2 Application for Illness Benefits in Terms of Section 22(1)
- UI-2.7 Remuneration Received by the Employee Whilst Still in Employment
- UIF Employer Declaration
- UIF Employee Declaration
- UI-19 Employer’s Declaration of Employees for the Month
- UI-2.8 UIF Authorisation to Pay Benefits into Banking Account
The guideline allows for employers and employees to apply for UIF benefits during a period of shut down or reduced hours due to the impact of COVID-19.
As we safe guard the health of our employees lets also consider providing employees annual leave during this period.
For more information on the details of the benefits and the application process please contact the Gauteng departmental rapid response team contact person, Dingaan Basimane on 011 853 0303.
Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme (TERS)
Claiming UIF for period 27 March to 30 April – called Lockdown period
- Go to Department of Labour’s UIF-COVID19TERS Register page
Ensure you are browsing using either Chrome or Firefox. - Have your UIF number ready
If you do not have a number, you need to register for UIF first. Once registered for UIF, you will receive a reference number. You then return to the UIF-COVID19TERS Register page and complete your information with that number as your reference or username. You can pay the fees after lockdown with no penalties. - Complete your information and submit
- You will receive confirmation of your submission
- Complete the required information for each employee and submit
Identity number, employment start date, monthly salary (not less than R 3500 – the minimum) and banking details. - Upon receiving a response, log in to the UIF-COVID19TERS website
- Click on the green block
Green blocks indicate that money has been allocated. - Download the documents (two Excel spreadsheets and one Word document)
The Excel spreadsheets indicate which employees have been allocated money (green).
Print, sign and email the Word document to the email address indicated on the document. - Receive payment
- Email the proof of payment for each employee together with the Word document (sent in step 8)
The Department of Labour has introduced a new e-mail address for the Temporary Employer / Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) to help companies fund their employees’ wages amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employer/s that have to enforce lock down as regulated and who might require financial assistance from the UIF should access information regarding available funding through a dedicated mailbox covid19ters@labour.gov.za.
On receipt of a request, an automated response will be sent outlining the procedure and documents/information required by the Fund to process your application.
DSBD Debt Relief Finance Scheme for SMEs
Businesses which are negatively affected, directly or indirectly, due to the Coronavirus pandemic can apply for Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) debt relief finance to mitigate against job losses and the expected harsh economic impact.
➔ Guidelines for application
➔ 1. Register on the National SMME Database 2. Complete the online form 3. Upload supporting documents
➔ View / download the application form
DSBD Business Growth and Resilience Facility
Businesses can apply for funding to take advantage of supply opportunities resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic or shortage of goods in the local market.
➔ Guidelines for application
➔ 1. Register on the National SMME Database 2. Complete the online form 3. Upload supporting documents
➔ View / download the application form
Interest-free loans to pay staff salaries
The South African Future Trust (SAFT) will transfer funds directly to employees of participating SMMEs, via interest-free loans where employees themselves carry no liability.
SAFT aims to enable SMMEs to significantly reduce their cash outgoings and continue operations during this time of crisis, while retaining their employees – affording these companies much-needed breathing room to make long-term decisions.
Department of Tourism (DoT) Relief Fund
The Department of Tourism encourages eligible businesses to apply for the COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund during the application period from 07 April to 30 May 2020.
Established as an intervention to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector, the R200 million Tourism Relief Fund provides once-off capped grant assistance to Small Micro and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMMEs) to ensure sustainability during and post the implementation of government measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.
Categories eligible to apply for the Tourism Relief Fund include the following:
- Accommodation establishments: Hotels, Resort properties, Bed and Breakfast (B& B’s), Guest Houses, Lodges and Backpackers
- Hospitality and related services: Restaurants (not attached to hotels), Conference venues (not attached to hotels), Professional Catering and Attractions
- Travel and related services: Tour Operators, Travel Agents, Tourist guiding, car rental companies and coach operators
Webinars available to watch on demand
Webinars you can watch on our TTA YouTube channel COVID-19 playlist:
- Tourism Sector Recovery
- State of Tourism Sector Webinar
- Webinar 1 – Tourism Industry Recovery Plan by South African Tourism
- Webinar 2 – Tourism Industry Recovery Plan by South African Tourism
- Webinar 3 – Tourism Industry Recovery Plan by South African Tourism
- Journal on Tourism & Sustainability Webinar Series: After the Virus
Useful operations documents and articles
Regulations and guidelines
- All the South African government regulations and guidelines applicable to COVID-19 and the lockdown
- COVID-19 Risk Adjusted Strategy – view all the COVID-19 Levels and comment
Protocols
Guidebooks
- Guidebook – Housekeeping Takes on New Urgency in Fight Against Spread of COVID-19
- Convention and Exhibition Centre Health and Safety: Managing COVID-19 Challenges
- Key planning recommendations for Mass Gatherings in the context of the current COVID-19 outbreak
- COVID-19 and food safety: guidance for food businesses
- Discover the potential of virtual events
- Your insurance policy – what to look out for when your restaurant remains closed
- Employment Law & COVID-19: A Guideline for Travel Businesses
Other travel and tourism COVID-19 initiatives
We are here to help
TTA would like assist you in facing challenges during this time and provide support and platforms for a pro-active recovery process. You are encouraged to share experiences, progress and constructive suggestions that will help to rebuild our industry on email to secretary@tshwanetourism.com to be consolidated into plans for the benefit of all.
We would also like to announce that we are working on a COVID-19 Q&A page for the most frequently asked questions by our members on our WhatsApp groups.
All Chapters, Branches and Forums are encouraged to engage their WhatsApp groups to identify challenges specific to their businesses. This will enable the TTA to source specific information and find creative solutions through the appropriate channels.
Should you have any questions or problems, and prefer to contact us privately for assistance, you can contact Romney Soar at info@tshwanetourism.com.