Innovative Staffing Solutions has been exempted from the national lockdown declared by South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday.
“We take our exemption very seriously as we know that millions depend on the products which we will be transporting across the country,” explains Arnoux Maré, CEO of Innovative Staffing Solutions.
The 21-days lockdown which is scheduled to commence on March 26, at midnight, is the latest move by the country’s government to fight the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa. This comes after the government held consultations with the private sector to determine which industries were required to remain open to sustain the country’s economy.
Innovative Staffing Solutions falls under “companies that are essential to the production and transportation of food, basic goods and medical supplies,” as stipulated by the government.
The company employs over 6,800 truck drivers, who are responsible for freighting essentials such as food, fuel and coal across South Africa’s vast highways and cities.
Other categories/industries that are exempt include:
- Health workers
- Emergency personnel
- Security services
- Essential banking services
- Power
- Laboratory services
- Hygiene services
- People will not be allowed to move unless buying food and medical supplies.
- The JSE and private security cluster.
Maré says that while securing the steady supply of the country’s food and fuel are paramount, ensuring the safety and well-being of their drivers, is equally important.
He says Innovative Staffing Solutions will be providing all their drivers and depot staff with protective equipment, including masks and gloves.
“We will also provide sanitisers to disinfect the trucks, workstations, drivers’ hands and anything they may come into contact with. Furthermore, Innovative Staffing Solutions will also keep to the highest standard of quality control, to ensure none of the items that our drivers deliver across the country come into contact with any contamination,” concludes Maré.