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CAPE TOWN, May 3-- The South African government on Sunday announced strict measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at workplaces before the partial resumption of business. Employers must take measures to protect the health and safety of everyone in their workplaces, Minister of Employment and Labor Thulas Nxesi said. With regard to social distancing, workplaces must be arranged to ensure a minimum of 1.5 meters between workers, Nxesi said. "If this is not practicable, physical barriers must be erected and workers must be supplied free of charge with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)," he said. Social distancing must be implemented in all common areas in and around the workplace to prevent crowding, including working spaces, canteens, meeting rooms, Nxesi said. Workers must wear masks at work and employers must also require members of the public entering a workplace to wear masks, said Nxesi. Employers must provide each employee, free of charge, with at least two cloth masks to wear while at work or commuting, he said. They must also provide sufficient quantities of hand sanitizer with at least 70-percent alcohol content, ensure that work surfaces, equipment and common areas such as toilets, door handles and shared equipment be regularly cleaned and disinfected, said Nxesi. The minister made the announcement one day before the partial return to workplaces on Monday when about 1.5 million people will return to work. The country moved to stage four of a nationwide lockdown on May 1, down from stage five. | 
