| Electronic Communications Directions in response to COVID-19 crisis - 06/04/2020 |
| Department of Communications and Digital Technologies |
| TELECOM/ICT Policy Makers and Regulators | Africa | South Africa |
| South Africa's response to the Corona virus national disaster is led by the President, with the Minister of Health leading an inter-Ministerial Committee to coordinate the effort across government. The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies issued Electronic Communications, Postal and Broadcasting Directions by Government Gazette on the 26th March, with an amendment on the 6th April. This ensured that Communications services were seen as an essential service, in order to ensure their continued provision to citizens during a nationwide lockdown. This also allowed for the rapid deployment of telecommunications services where required. Further, broadcasting licensees are obliged to carry public service announcements related to the national effort to combat COVID-19 and its impact. The communication obligations are extended to all of the official languages of South Africa including sign language. A free communication service has been established to provide public information on the novel corona virus, including a call centre and an interactive Whatsapp information service. This involves information provided by the Department of Health and by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Preventative measures, including personal hygiene and social behaviour, as well as newly introduced government measures to prevent the spread of the virus, have also been widely distributed through broadcast and media channels. All South African websites operating within the za Country code Domain are required to include a visible landing page and link for the public to find out more information about the Corona virus at www.sacoronavirus.co.za. All Electronic Communication licensees, OTTs and ISPs have the responsibility to remove fake news related to COVID-19 from their platforms immediately after it is identified as such. |
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