by Thinus Ferreira
South Africa's broadcasting regulator, the Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (ICASA), has immediately suspended all public hearings for regulatory issues and has placed a ban on all visitors to its offices as the Covid-19 virus rapidly spreads in South Africa and globally.
ICASA says ithe broadcasting regulator is reviewing its day-to-day business given the spread of the global novel coronavirus pandemic.
On Sunday evening president Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster in South Africa that included a ban on gatherings of 100 people or more.
"ICASA has activated the crisis management initiatives as required by the organisation's business continuity policy to ensure its preparedness to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic."
ICASA has suspended all public hearings and will monitor and assess the situation in month's time.
ICASA has banned visitors to ICASA premises which includes all visits, both local and international with customer walk-ins that are also suspended.
"We are reducing face-to-face meetings by encouraging the use of telephones, email correspondence and video/teleconferencing in lieu of in-person gatherings, particularly for meetings with clients or stakeholders," says ICASA.
"We are cognisant of the fact that the spread of the virus will have an effect on our business," says Willington Ngwepe, ICASA CEO.
"However, ICASA is in full support of government initiatives in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic; but we will endeavour to adhere to our turn-around times as contemplated in our respective divisional standard operating procedures."
"Any other delays will be communicated on time to our respective stakeholders."
