The purpose of these Directions is to curtail the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to alleviate, contain and minimise the effects of the national state of disaster, and to ensure fair processes, especially specified processes relating to permits, registrations, and certificates that cannot be adhered to during the Alert Levels due to the restrictions placed on the movement of people. These Directions further aim to provide direction in respect of the carrying out of activities by the biodiversity sector in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, 2003 (Act No. 57 of 2003) and any applicable provincial conservation legislation in respect of activities and services that have been declared essential or are permitted during Alert Level 4.