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Woodstock Improvement District - Newsletter
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SHOULD BUSINESS OWNERS IN SA BE WORRIED ABOUT CORONAVIRUS?

The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a significant threat to the global economy since its first outbreak in December 2019 in China. By a large margin, China remains one of Africa’s most important trade partners.

Over 94,000 cases have been reported globally. Still, Africa has so far recorded the lowest number of people affected by the virus, perhaps because of the warmer climate.

However, the increasing spread of the virus, which has both human and economic implications, is a great challenge to emerging markets and economies in Africa.

If not swiftly and decisively contained, the prolonged effects will cut across Africa’s markets and economies, dragging down the GDP value of whole countries and regions. This will result in a disruption of the fragile intercontinental supply chain, costing businesses huge losses as they will find it challenging to trade normally for a long time.

The nation counts on the ANC-lead leadership in Pretoria to step up and be counted; millions of South Africans are hoping that the Rainbow Nation will  decisively contain the reported cases of Coronavirus – like Nigeria swiftly dealt with its lone Ebola case a few years ago – and also shore up inbound immigration checks at the borders.

How to protect yourself against the Coronavirus

WHAT BUSINESSES CAN DO RIGHT NOW

As business owners and managers, it's our responsibility to ensure our staff are protected at this time. Prevention is better than cure and at the early stages of infection in South Africa, now is the time to halt cross-contamination and flatten the curve. Here are some points to consider very seriously:

For Employers:

  • Consider work-from-home options for staff who are able to do so.
  • Print the image below supplied by the City of Cape Town and put up in your workplace.
  • Actively encourage sick employees to stay home for at least 14 days if showing flu symptoms.
  • Perform routine environmental cleansing, in particular focussing on high traffic surfaces including taps, door handles, coffee machines, shared kitchen or eating surfaces and workstations.
  • Ensure desks are spaced out so that employees sit at least 1 to 1.5 metres apart.
  • Ensure that your sick leave policies are flexible and consistent with public health guidance and that employees are aware of these policies.
For Employees and Workplace Members:
  • Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap (for at least 20 seconds) and use hand sanitizer. This should be routine in between touching any shared surfaces, tools or objects in the workplace as the virus can remain stable on cardboard for up to 24 hours and metal surfaces and plastic for 2 to 3 days.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or the inside of your elbow, when you cough or sneeze and move away from others.
  • Avoid touching your face at all, in particular after coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid any physical contact such as shaking of hands, hugging etc.
  • Avoid shared foods such as buffets, snacks and picnics.
  • Where possible, keep a distance of at least 1 metre when engaging with any individual.
  • If you have flu-like symptoms (cough, fever, sore throat) AND may have a COVID-19
    contact OR have travelled abroad within the last 2 weeks, call the Coronavirus helpline or book a telephonic consult with your doctor. Do not enter the practice and avoid putting other patients at risk or exposing yourself to others who are infected.
  • Should you be ill, contact your line manager to advise that you are unfit for duty, and do not come into the office. Normal sick leave principles apply.
  • Should you suspect that your illness may be associated with COVID-19, or a member of your household is in self-quarantine for suspected infection, contact your line manager immediately and do not come into the office.
  • We want to strongly communicate that the best way to slow the spread of this pandemic is through self-isolation, social distancing and frequent handwashing. NOT through testing for the virus.
  • Labs will NOT test patients without symptoms. There are a limited number of tests available. If you are exposed to a confirmed case of COVID-19 OR you have travelled abroad, we recommend self-isolation until symptoms develop.
Click on the link below to download and print this poster to put up in your business:
Download and Print

THINGS TO DO AMID THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

As President Cyril Ramaphosa announces the closure of all schools until after the Easter Weekend, parents are already concerned about how they will manage to keep their kids entertained (other than Netflix or browsing the Internet!) without having to physically leave the house.

Fear not! We have compiled a list of things you may find helpful to ease the boredom and keep the children (and maybe even yourself) busy until the coronavirus panic dies down.

Head to our blog to view all activities.

Read More

CELEBRATING OUR RIGHTS THIS MARCH

On March 21st, South Africans celebrate Human Rights Day to commemorate and honour those who fought for our liberation and made sacrifices to attain democracy in South Africa so that we can freely enjoy and exercise our rights as we do today.

This year we celebrate this special day under the theme “The year of unity, socio-economic renewal and nation-building.”

On 21 March 1960, the community of Sharpeville and Langa townships embarked on a protest march against the pass laws. Many were brutally shot and killed.

Today our human rights are protected by the Constitution. Some of these rights include the right to life, dignity and equality; the right to privacy, freedom of religion, belief and opinion; the right to freedom of expression and the right to fair labour practices.

This Human Rights Day we are reminded of the importance of our rights to freedom and equality. While for many of us, at this time, our personal freedom is being limited in the name of social responsibility, so we are reminded of the power of the collective to bring about change. And so while we remember the sacrifices that were made to ensure our democracy in South Africa, so we understand the need to make sacrifices for our own future and for each other.

We encourage all South Africans to know their rights! And to act in ways that respect the rights of others.

Click on the link below to view more rights:

Know your rights

THE HISTORY OF QUEEN'S PARK HIGH SCHOOL

In 1990, Queen's Park High was one of the first government schools to adopt a non-racial admissions policy, thus becoming a multi-racial school. Freedom of a good quality education and equality is what still makes Queen's Park High a highly regarded academic institution. Let’s take a look at the history of this famous Woodstock school.

On 28 June 1883 a public school was established in Woodstock. Neil MacKay was elected principal of the first school. The school was held in the Presbyterian Hall for nearly ten years. The attendance was increasing and it felt necessary to procure a more suitable building for the school.

In 1892, the management purchased the Masonic Hall building in Victoria Walk. The highest attendance had been reached and the managers were compelled to look for more suitable accommodation. They purchased its current site in Roodebloem Road, where a new school was erected. The foundation stone was laid on 15 November 1905.

The Balfour Street School then became the first Woodstock High School under the new Principal, Mr C.M. Cooper. In 1955 Woodstock High School was renamed Queen's Park High School. Over the next 55 years, a number of men would be at the helm.

W.C. Ferguson (1937-1964), R.B. Redelinhys (1965-1977), G. Gilmour (1978-1988), M.P. Van Haght (1995-1998), P.A. Roman (2000-2008) and the incumbent principal is C. Leetz.

REGISTER WITH WID TODAY

Membership is open to all the commercial business property owners who are encouraged to apply for membership so that they exercise their rights to influence the business of the CID. Membership cannot be denied and the commercial business property owner is then entitled to attend, participate and vote at the member’s meetings held under the auspices of the Companies Act. 

Click on the tab below to register.
Become A Member
 

Until next month,
Chris Lloyd

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