The tourism industry is closely monitoring the situation around the planned national shutdown on March 20 – with trade unions and political party, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) threatening to shut down the economy, including airports and roads.

EFF Leader, Julius Malema, said: “Now is the time to take action. The streets are calling; we have to occupy all the streets of South Africa. Wherever you are, make your voice heard.”

Malema highlighted unemployment, load shedding, corruption, high crime rates, gender-based violence, and collapsed hospitals and education systems as reasons to shut down the country.

He has also called for President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down.

Inbound association, SATSA said in a notice to members that currently, it was business as usual across the board for the tourism industry.

“All security services/companies, community forums, SAPS and of course the SATSA Safety Committee are on full standby,” said SATSA COO, Hannelie du Toit.

Contingency plans

Airports Company South Africa highlighted that, following the announcement by certain political parties, trade unions and other civic organisations of a proposed national shutdown, the Airport Joint Planning Committee – consisting of Government and law-enforcement agencies – convened a meeting to mitigate the possible impact on airport operations.

“All entities are in the process of preparing respective contingency plans to ensure adequate resourcing across our airports; we will remain on high alert and normal operations will continue.

“We urge our stakeholders based across our airports to prepare contingency measures and engage their local airport manager for more details.”

An Acsa spokesperson noted that, at the core of this matter, remained the safety of passengers, travellers to the airport, meeters and greeters, the airport community, employees, and all other airport users.

Mitigating measures

Law firm, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, highlighted in a blog that, considering the operational requirements of many businesses, employers may consider any of the following in preparing for the impact of the national shutdown:

• conducting a risk assessment to assess their exposure to potential risks;
• considering approving leave for March 20 as there may be many employees who will not be able to come to work;
• implementing flexible working arrangements for March  20 where possible; and
• concluding agreements to work overtime for the week of March 20-24, where relevant.