The South African wine industry provides an update on two of the most prominent developments on 31 March 2020, which are relevant to the SA wine industry and would require action.
New transport regulations
The Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, issued a new regulation on 31 March 2020, which also applies to the transport of agricultural employees. Herewith Agri SA’s most important points:
- Public Transport permitted to ferry essential services workers will operate from 05h00 to 10h00 and from 16h00 to 20h00 (see the regulations and Agbiz communication for more details, hereunder).
- During the lockdown period and unless determined by the Minister of Transport, private institutions or companies may make arrangements for the transportation of their workers who are rendering essentials services as listed in Annexure B (Regulations published to date) in line with the operating shifts, work time schedules as determined by the responsible head of operations, Manager, Head of the Department or a person with responsible authority within such institution; and
- The operating shifts or work schedules or time table should be stamped and signed by such person with authority as contemplated in direction 6(6) (a).
- Public Transport vehicles must reduce their maximum licensed passenger seating capacity by 70% with no masks (the regulations explain respective scenarios)
- During the lockdown period, all Minibus and Midibus taxi vehicles are permitted to load their maximum 100% passenger loading capacity as provided in the operating license on condition that all passengers are wearing masks.
- Public transport operators must put measures in place to adhere to social distancing to curb the spread of the virus.
Read more:
Disaster Management Act 57-2002 – Measures to prevent and combat spread of Covid-19 public transport amendment – 31 March 2020
Agbiz member communication: Directives on Public Transport – 31 March 2020
Aware.org.za calls for responsible marketing
While the export and local sales of liquor products are prohibited during the national lockdown in South Africa, many wine businesses are stepping up their marketing campaigns to drive online sales in particular (for delivery after 16 April 2020, of course). And with the global COVID-19 restrictions being associated with depression, anxiety and other emotions, the liquor industry in particular will have to be responsible in their messaging.
The liquor industry has therefore teamed up, through Aware.org.za, to issue a marketing guideline during COVID-19, in addition to the existing Commercial Communications Code. “We ask marketers to take note of this and uphold our name as an industry that cares about the people who consume our products,” says Vinpro cellar manager Christo Conradie.
Read more:
Addendum to the Code of Commercial Communications – 30 March 2020
Aware.org Code of Commercial Communications – 2019
We undertake to keep you informed of further developments as they unfold.
ENQUIRIES:
Vinpro – email
WoSA – email
SALBA – email
Source: wineland.co.za
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