ARTICLE · 19 NOVEMBER 2020

COVID-19: Now Open: Managing A Workplace During A Pandemic – Data Protection Considerations

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As the world slowly returns to normalcy and businesses start opening their doors again, the risk of COVID-19 spreading is greater now than during earlier containment periods that we experienced at the beginning of the year.

South AfricaPrivacy

As the world slowly returns to normalcy and businesses start opening their doors again, the risk of COVID-19 spreading is greater now than during earlier containment periods that we experienced at the beginning of the year. Consequently, employers will have a greater responsibility for ensuring that workplaces are safe and employees or visitors are not exposed to unsafe surroundings or practices.

One way to create a safer working environment and reduce exposure to COVID-19 is by collecting and processing relevant data, for instance data that would facilitate contact tracing if need be. To this effect, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives has published Guidelines for Business Operations during COVID-19 (the Guidelines), which mandates employers to collect health-related data of their employees and personal data of visitors.

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