How we have adapted our harvesting process during #COVID19
An unexpected situation
COVID-19 seemingly came out of nowhere, creating an unprecedented situation that not many were prepared for. The year 2020 which we started in January looks exceptionally different to the 2020 we know today, just 5 months later. It is times like these where the ability for businesses to adapt is crucial for survival.
How we have adapted
As an essential service provider in Eswatini, the way we operate, travel, and think has had to shift dramatically. The pandemic came at our busiest time of year, when our annual harvest is set to commence. This created an enormous responsibility for management to swiftly implement measures to assure virus transmission is minimised and that our staff are kept safe at all times.
Employing government regulations of social distancing, hand washing, and regular sanitisation was our first port of call as well as educating our staff on the severity of the virus, and how they can keep themselves, their families, and fellow colleagues safe.
Our Internal Measures
Our field workers and technicians are our staff members who are at the greatest risk. UMOBA has therefore halved the occupants allowed in provided staff bus routes, regulating that only one person may be seated per row and insisting that hands are sterilised with provided sanitiser before boarding the bus. We have also imposed the rule of wearing masks and face coverings.
Our agricultural equipment and vehicles have all been equipped with sanitiser which drivers are required to use multiple times a day. Touchpoints of these vehicles are then cleaned at days end. All staff members must keep a distance of at least 2m between themselves and have been urged to cover their face and mouth with their elbows when coughing or sneezing.
Going forward
At this time of global panic and discord it is important to remain calm and get information from trusted sources. Our harvest has been off to a good start so far, and we are very pleased that our staff are following the relevant regulations to keep themselves and each other safe in such an uncertain time. For more information on COVID-19 visit https://sacoronavirus.co.za/.
Stay safe!