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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Directions relating to the Biodiversity Sector during Alert Level 3

6. Activities

 

6.1 All activities that were permitted with restrictions as contained in the Directions regarding Measures to Address, Prevent and Combat the Spread of COVID-19 related to the Biodiversity Sector, published in Government Notice No. 537 in Government Gazette No. 43323 of 14 May 2020, as amended by Government Notice No. 596 in Government Gazette No 43355 of 26 May 2020, are regarded to be permitted activities with no restrictions under these Directions, unless otherwise indicated in these Directions.

 

6.2 The provisions of these Directions apply to only those specimens of species that are regulated in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act or in terms of applicable provincial conservation legislation.

 

6.3 Culling is permitted.

[Direction 6(6.3) substituted by section 3(a) of Notice No. 822, GG43564, dated 28 July 2020]

 

6.3A Intra-provincial hunting is permitted,

[Direction 6(6.3A) substituted by section 3(a) of Notice No. 870, GG43602, dated 7 August 2020]

 

6.3B [Direction 6(6.3B) deleted by section 3(b) of Notice No. 870, GG43602, dated 7 August 2020]

 

6.4 Moving, conveying or otherwise translocating of live or dead specimens or products is permissible, including across district, metro or provincial borders, subject to the permit required by the Regulations.

 

6.5 Live wildlife auctions are permitted, subject to the following:
(a) No more than 50 people may attend the auction, excluding those who participate through electronic platforms;
(b) the temperature of each attendee who enters the auction venue must be screened;
(c) the auctioneer must keep a register, of each attendee, for track and tracing purposes, containing the following information:
(i) name and surname;
(ii) physical address;
(iii) contact number (home, work and cellular, where possible); and
(iv) temperature measured;
(d) the auction venue must be disinfected before and after each auction event;
(e) all surfaces must be disinfected regularly with a disinfectant containing an alcohol base, which includes the wiping of all handrails that are touched;
(f) each person must wear a face mask or a homemade item covering the mouth and nose or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth;
(g) social distancing of at least 1.5 meters must be maintained;
(h) personal contact between individuals must be avoided;
(i) auctioneers must inform attendees of the auction of the safety and health measures that must be complied with;
(j) all staff and attendees must—
(i) have access to sanitizer and handwash facilities at the auction venue;
(ii) wash their hands for at least 20 seconds on a regular basis;
(iii) when sneezing, cover their mouths to avoid infecting other persons;
(iv) if he or she shows any symptoms associated with COVID-19, be referred for testing and reported to the relevant authorities; and
(k) translocation of wild animals subsequent to the auction is subject to any applicable legal requirements, including animal health requirements.

[Direction 6(6.5) substituted by section 3(c) of Notice No. 822, GG43564, dated 28 July 2020]

 

6.6 Live or dead specimens or products may be imported into, or exported from the Republic of South Africa, subject to phytosanitary or animal health requirements, and subject to any applicable Directions issued by the Cabinet member responsible for Trade, Industry and Competition.

 

6.7 Persons may apply for new registrations, or for the inclusion of new species to, existing permits and registrations.

 

6.8 All bioprospecting and biotrade activities may continue.

 

6.9 Professional hunting:
(a) The conducting of professional hunting courses may continue; and
(b) Persons who will not be able to meet the requirements for the renewal of permits to operate as professional hunters and hunting outfitters, will nevertheless be able to renew such permits during or immediately after the national state of disaster, as a once-off waiver of such requirements.

 

6.10 Zoos, aquaria, animal rehabilitation facilities and sanctuaries that are normally open to the public remain closed except for guided tours and self-drive excursions, subject to relevant health, tourism and transport protocols.

[Direction 6(6.10) substituted by section 3(c) of Notice No. 870, GG43602, dated 7 August 2020]

 

6.11 Botanical gardens are open for exercise purposes, self-drive excursions and guided tours, subject to relevant health, tourism and transport protocols.

[Direction 6(6.11) substituted by section 3(d) of Notice No. 870, GG43602, dated 7 August 2020]