The government, Nedlac, and businesses have on Monday agreed to extend the COVID-19 Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) to those affected by the level 4 lockdown.
The agreement is now awaiting Cabinet approval.
The latest restrictions include a ban on liquor sales, the fourth since the end of March 2020, as well as prohibition on dining, gatherings, and leisure travel in and out of the Gauteng province.
The rules have left many people vulnerable and without a stable income during the devastating third wave of COVID-19 infections.
“It’ll basically be the same framework as the previous two years. But just for these sectors and it’ll go to Cabinet this week. Hopefully, all the paperwork will be done in the next few days and then we expect applications to start within two weeks, and then within a week, money should be going through,” said Cosatu’s Mathew Parks.
Parks has appealed to people to apply: “People should apply, because what we saw last year was that as time progressed, less and less companies and workers applied and there is money available. So, I would hope that despite all the bureaucracy and the hassles, and the nightmares people do apply. Despite all the chaos, five million workers did receive money, totaling about R60 billion, and that’s a huge amount of money.”
Industries such as hospitality, tourism, and liquor have been hard-hit by ongoing COVID-related lockdowns in South Africa since last year.
-EWN
In other news – Inside Sithelo Shozi’s surprise baby shower for her second child – MaMkhize’s son Andile Mpisane suspected to be the father
Sithelo Shozi has a bun in the oven and many are convinced that Andile Mpisane is the father. Sithelo took to her IG stories to share snaps from the dreamy occasion under the hashtag #SitheloPopsAgain. The event organized by, Londiwe Ndwandwe, was attended by close family and friends. Judging by the decorations, Shozi is expecting a baby girl.
It was indeed a beautiful occasion. The mother-to-be was dressed in all black and later sighted in a pink dress. They had personal chefs come and prepare the food. Learn More
