COVID-19 STATE OF DISASTER

• A ministerial directive gazetted on 26 March for schools has clarified the measures applicable under lockdown level one to all:
  • sports activities and tournaments
  • physical education, and
  • extra-curricular activities.

• On 26 March, a ministerial directive on Home Affairs services under lockdown level one:
  • extended the validity of concessionary visas
  • prescribed the deadline for renewing any other visas
  • updated services now available at Home Affairs offices
  • updated the list of closed ports of entry, and
  • confirmed the Covid-19 test-related requirements to be met by anyone entering SA.

• A ministerial directive gazetted on 25 March has confirmed that liquor may be transported under lockdown level one.

COMMUNICATIONS

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa has:

• called for comment on its draft mobile broadband services regulations
• released proposed amendments to the subscription broadcasting ‘must carry’ regulations for public comment
• gazetted a discussion document as the first step in an inquiry into the effectiveness of the prevailing advertising, infomercial and programme sponsorship regulations, and
• finalised amendments to the class licensing processes and procedures regulations affecting community broadcasting services.

JUSTICE

• The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has called for comment on a draft Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Amendment Bill.
• The South African Law Reform Commission has invited stakeholder input on an issue paper proposing a process for domesticating the 2006 UN convention on the rights of persons with disabilities.

FINANCE

• The commencement date of sections in the Financial Sector Regulation Act dealing with fees, levies and finances has been postponed until 1 April 2022, along with provisions in its schedule expected to have affected various related Acts from 1 April 2021.

TRADE, INDUSTRY AND COMPETITION

• The Competition Commission has called for public comment on:
  • draft amendments to its rules, and
  • proposals for regulating non-binding advisory opinions.

ENERGY

• On 26 March, regulations came into effect prescribing the obligations to be met when continuing to operate any ageing nuclear installation beyond its licensed life span.

Prepared by Pam Saxby