Coronavirus (COVID-19) update and impact on business 2

We recognise that COVID-19 has created a rapidly changing and uncertain local and global environment. The DSV African Crisis Committee continues to monitor the situation closely and to ensure that our customers and organisation are provided with the necessary information, and that actions required are taken. DSV is doing our part to help slow the spread of COVID-19 by implementing travel restrictions, virtual meetings and work-from-home plans where possible. We are also taking preventative measures to keep our employees and their families, our customers and partners as safe as possible.

Measures are in place 
Health and safety protocols are of paramount importance in DSV, and our primary concern has been to keep our stakeholders safe from the potential spread of COVID-19.

Below are preventative measures that we've put in place to maintain the well-being of our customers, our staff and our suppliers. These measures will evolve as new information comes to hand. 

Each division within DSV is implementing their Business Continuity Plans, which are also being regularly updated as more information becomes available. 

We’ve put into place several safety checks across all our operations. 

Warehouses:

• Additional hygiene measures and sanitisers are implemented in all the facilities.
• Social distancing is advised and implemented through re-organising teams in smaller groups.
• Shift structures are being implemented on larger sites, aligning with customers where required, as this may impact service levels.

Service providers: 

• We're working with all suppliers to ensure similar precautionary safety measures are being taken in their facilities.
• We're working with all suppliers to reduce the risk of contact at interaction points.

Deliveries:

• Non-contact home deliveries as of 16 March have been implemented.
• Drivers have been equipped with sanitisers to be used frequently, and particularly after each delivery.
• Where masks/gloves are a customer requirement, we have equipped drivers accordingly. Based on WHO guidelines, masks and gloves are largely ineffective to prevent the spread of the virus and therefore will be used when necessary.
  
  

Our offices and people: 

• We are doing our part to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus by implementing travel restrictions, virtual meetings, and work-from-home contingency plans for employees where possible, and split-shifts have been introduced in some departments. 
• The intention is to increase social distancing in office and warehouse environments, decreasing density in all areas.

Ports of Entry and Exit:

In light of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address on Sunday evening 15 March 2020 on the presence and global impact of the Coronavirus, and the closure of ports of entry and exit, below is the latest updates on Sea, Air & Cross Border Road Freight:

Sea Freight
Commercial vessel operations at all ports will continue to function as per normal. Passenger vessel terminals and crew changes are closed or operating under restricted conditions. Please refer to the notification from Transnet for more detailed information.

Air Freight
All airfreight cargo operations at all South African airports are running as per normal at this point in time. We are in close and continuous contact with all the airlines, handling agents and ACSA and will keep you informed if the situation changes.

Due to several country “lockdowns”, flights around the globe are being cancelled which is having an impact on capacity and rates, and this situation will fluctuate from day to day.

Road Freight
The below border posts are closed with immediate effect and this action is to stop the influx of foreign nationals. All remaining commercial border posts are open for Road cargo movement and business is continuing as normal. We are in regular contact with our counterparts in the neighbouring countries to understand what contingency plans they have in place. Until further notifications are received to the contrary, we will keep the Road cargo moving.

• Alexanderbay
• Sendelingsdrift
• Mc Carthysrest
• Middelputs
• Rietfontein
• Gemsbok
• Tweerivieren
• Bray
• Mokopong
• Mokghibistadt
• Swartkopfontein
• Derdepoort
• Stockpoort
• Patjan
• Pondrift
• Zanzibar
• Pafuri
• Giriyondo
• Emahlatini
• Bothashoop
• Waverley
• Nerston
• Josefsdal
• Kosibay
• Onverwacht
• Sanipass
• Boesmansnek
• Tellebridge
• Ongeluksnek
• Ramatsiliso
• Mononsthapass
• Pekabridge
• Makhaleng
• Sephaphusgate

Seaports:
• Mosselbay
• Saldanha

We will continue to do our utmost to support your supply chain needs under the current circumstances and will communicate with you as often as necessary when the situation unfolds.

If you have any queries or questions, please get in touch with your local DSV representative.