New certificate required for the lockdown extension

23 Apr 2020

Businesses seeking exemption to perform essential services have previously had to register on the government’s BizPortal website, but their current certificates are no longer valid as the initial 21-day lockdown period for which they applied, ends on 16 April 2020 – the date on which the initial 21-day lockdown was scheduled to end.

As a result of the extension of the national lockdown, businesses wishing to carry out essential services are required by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (“CIPC”), to apply for new certificates from 17 April 2020 onwards.

The CIPC has stated that it will send out new certificates to cover the extended lockdown period, via email, to the addresses that were provided at the time of registration. New certificates have also been made available on the BizPortal from 16 April 2020, which can be downloaded by companies registered under the Companies Act. With regards to essential service providers such as healthcare professionals and small businesses, who are sole proprietors and not registered as companies with the CIPC, although these businesses do not have CIPC certificates, they are nonetheless required to comply with the provisions of the lockdown regulations.

Certificates issued prior to the extended lockdown, will no longer be valid and the South African Police Service officials have been briefed to only accept new certificates issued for the period of the lockdown extension. All businesses will be required to have a new certificate by Monday, 20 April 2020.

See also:

• Coronavirus – Department of Transport Regulations
• What are the rights of employees and support staff who work for essential services providers during #COVID-19 lockdown?

(This article is provided for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. For more information on the topic, please contact the author/s or the relevant provider.)