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It is important that all South Africans play a role post lockdown in ensuring continued safety prec... 

After two years of lockdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa lifted the national state of disaster on Monday, 04 March 2022, reopening South Africa to economic growth possibilities. With this in mind, it is important that all South Africans play a role post lockdown in ensuring continued safety precautions are followed. This can be achieved through focusing on the day-to-day hygiene and sanitation preparations and applications required on-site to ensure the safety of your staff and clients.  

Surviving the lockdown

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in the shutdown of many businesses. Those that survived experienced a notable decline in their productivity and profitability, especially companies whose employees could not perform their duties remotely. 

Therefore, the pandemic was not only a health threat, but additionally, it presented various economic implications, for example, the overwhelming retrenchment statistics. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), for the 3rd quarter of 2021, the number of employed persons declined by 660 000 in South Africa alone.

Thus, the lifting of the national state of disaster is an eagerly accepted and appreciated determination from the government. This decision has many positive implications: companies will again develop a sense of operational normalcy- meaning that their growth and profit objectives will, yet again, be more attainable. 

"The end of the National State of Disaster is a firm statement of our determination to live our lives and rebuild our country. It should provide our businesses with certainty that they can operate and invest without the prospect of further restrictions." President. Cyril Ramaphosa.

The expectations of the "New normal"

Nonetheless, it would be an oversight for both corporate and individuals to disregard the reality that we have not yet won the fight against the Coronavirus. In his national address, the President emphasized the continued importance of protecting ourselves and others from the deadly virus. 

“Importantly, by ending the National State of Disaster we are each taking more individual responsibility for protecting our health and the health of others.” 

This sentiment by the President does not exclude companies; for us to subsequently overcome this pandemic, we all need to take the necessary precautions. We would like to pose the following question: 

Is your business prepared to safely receive employees back on-site?

In your preparations, did you ask yourself the following questions? 

• Are your office buildings ready to receive your employees?
• Is your staff prepared to come back to the office?
• Are you equipped to provide Rapid Antigen Diagnostic Tests (RADTs)
• Have you made provisions to Decontaminate and ensure the workspace is sanitary?
• Do you have isolation procedures in place?
• Do you have a plan for maintaining the hygiene of canteen and other welfare facilities?

These are amongst many other questions you will have to answer in your post lockdown office preparations. HAS (Health and Safety Authority) has prepared these checklists for your consideration in your post lockdown workplace preparations.

By taking these steps, you will be playing an integral part in the country’s united front against the Covid-19 pandemic. We at Sanitech are equally committed to this fight! 

How can Sanitech help?

Our dedication to delivering hygiene and sanitation solutions precedes the Covid-19 pandemic. Sanitech have experience spanning over 40 years and an African footprint that covers Southern African countries such as Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland and Zambia. This broad footprint displays the professionalism and reliability that we avail to all our clients.  

Regardless of where you are, we believe that cleaning is not your business's primary focus, but it is ours. So, don’t hesitate to contact us for a solution that works.

Sanitech is capable, and we have the experience to help you meet your health and safety occupational needs in response to the pandemic and beyond. 

For an immediate reaction to this pandemic and to further ensure the safety of your staff, we have Covid-19 consumables available for sale. Sanitech offers a range of hand sanitisers, surgical masks and washroom consumables for purchase and delivery. 

Alternatively, use this opportunity to become one of the companies that have already enlisted our services and are prepared to receive their staff. One such company is RTT Group Security, to which Sanitech provides our integrated hygiene services.

What are integrated hygiene services?

Integrated hygiene services are comprehensive disinfecting and sanitation processes that ensure:

• Surface hygiene - the disinfection and sanitation of surfaces that employees and your clientele get exposed to.
• Air hygiene - the maintenance of an indoor air environment that supports healthy, happy, productive occupants.
• Hand hygiene - the availability of hand washing, drying, moisturising and sanitising products to help avoid cross-surface contamination.

The integrated hygiene service is one amongst a range of services that we provide. To have peace of mind when your staff returns to the workplace, contact Sanitech. Let us help you receive your staff back in office, safely.