Eskom coal suppliers exempt from lockdown
Only those providing essential services, including the maintenance of the power system, will be exempted
Eskom does not expect coal supply to be affected by the 21-day national lockdown, the monopoly power utility confirmed on Tuesday.
“Provision and production of electricity is an essential service according to the law, and those critical elements in the value chain are indeed critical services themselves, and includes people who produce coal in the mines and the people who transport it,” Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha told the Business Day.
On Monday evening, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 21-day nationwide lockdown aimed at containing the spread of Covid-19 in SA. The decision came after the number of reported cases rose more than six-fold in a week. On Tuesday morning health minister Zweli Mkhize confirmed that cases had reached 554. The lockdown will commence at midnight on Thursday, March 26.
Only those providing essential services will be exempted from the lockdown. According to Ramaphosa’s announcement, this includes those involved in the maintenance of power and water services. However, a full list of essential personnel is yet to be published.
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