Authors: Rohan Isaacs and Tatum Govender
Although the country is moving to level 3, more and more suppliers had already turned to online or telephonic sales to get their businesses starting up again. This is because these types of sales were largely permitted during level 4, in terms of directions issued on 14 May, and because consumers feel more at ease ordering online rather than shopping in-store. More people have also become accustomed to shopping online. Directions issued by government impose numerous obligations on suppliers, couriers and consumers, which are additional to those already imposed in other laws.
If you’re a delivery person, courier or courier company looking to deliver goods to online or telephonic consumers during the lockdown, below are some* of the do’s and don’ts to be aware of:
| Do's | Don'ts | |
| Maintain a hygienic, healthy and safe workplace for employees. Detailed measures are set out in the COVID-19 Occupational Health and Safety Measures in Workplaces Directive, dated 29 April 2020. | Do not permit the sharing of, or share, face masks, equipment, stationery, utensils or similar items. | |
| Designate adequately trained health and safety officers who must take each employee’s temperatures using appropriate equipment or instruments at the start of a shift and every four hours after the shift commences. | Do not enter the home of a customer if the customer and any other residents within the immediate vicinity are not wearing cloth face masks or homemade items that cover their nose and mouth. | |
| Keep records of the temperatures of each employee. | Do not deliver any goods during any curfew period. | |
| Immediately move any employee whose temperature is 37,5C or above to an isolated observation room for a second measurement. If the second test measurement also exceeds 37,5C, the employee must be sent home for self-quarantine, provided with a surgical mask and not be permitted to enter or stay on the premises. | Carry your permit for work with you at all times. | |
| Have your own hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes, which much be provided, and refilled, by your employer daily. | Do not deliver prohibited goods from blackmarket sellers. | |
| Wear a cloth face mask that covers the nose and mouth when delivering goods to customers. | Do not have physical contact with the customer. | |
| Sanitise your hands before handling the goods to be delivered. | ||
Maintain at least one and a half metres distance from:
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| Sanitise the storage area of the vehicle daily. |
*The regulations are detailed. This is a summary intended to provide an overview of the most important obligations. For specific advice, please contact us.
If you are a retailer, your obligations are set out here and if you are a consumer, your obligations are set out here.
For more information, please contact Rohan Isaacs or Tatum Govender or your usual Herbert Smith Freehills:
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Disclaimer
The articles published on this website, current at the dates of publication set out above, are for reference purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action.