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The Brits Labour Centre in the North West has been temporarily closed following a confirmed Covid-19 case. This is  in order to  allow employees who had  been in contact with the affected employee to self-isolate  and for the necessary cleaning protocols for the office to be carried out.

According to Andile Makapela the Chief Director: Provincial Operations in the North West, the affected employee is one of the officials who have been in office since the Department opened officially for the public on the 08 June 2020. “ He is one of the key officials who were in office since we opened, therefore the  necessary protocols are being followed to ensure that all the affected employees receive the necessary support which would include psychosocial counselling," said Makapela.

For the Brits Labour Centre, the Department  has a very good working relations with the local Department of Health office, whereby they have been on site on a daily basis carrying out the required screenings. They are on board and the tracking and tracing process is being carried out to ensure that all the people that were in contact with the employee are found and that the necessary health protocols are followed.

Though the Department is concerned  about the backlog on service delivery as a result of temporary closure of offices, of paramount importance is the health and safety of its clients and employees. “Our officials are an important cog of the working of the South African economy and as such, we will also ensure that they are as safe as possible," said the Department's  Director-General: Thobile Lamati.

The temporary closure of the Brits Labour Centre brings a total number of offices closed in the North West this week to two, Klerksdorp Labour Centre was closed on the 02 July 2020.

An announcement would be made with regard to the opening of  these offices, which is expected to be some time next week.

Clients are encouraged to  use  the Department's online services found on www.labour.gov.za.

For media enquiries contact:

Teboho Thejane

Departmental Spokesperson

082 697 0694

“Please continue to adhere to the lockdown regulations. Wash hands, sanitise and wear your mask.

-ENDS-

Issued by: Department of Employment and Labour

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