SARS Closes All Branches in Response to Covid-19, a Temporary Measure

SARS Closes All Branches in Response to Covid-19, a Temporary Measure

  • The South African Revenue Service has decided to temporarily close all of its branches in the face of rising Covid-19 infections
  • The tax collector will still allow members of the public to book virtual meetings but physical visits to the branches will not be possible
  • Many in South Africa fear that the rising infections will result in tighter restrictions being imposed

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

The South African Revenue Service has decided to close all branches as a temporary measure as Covid-19 infections continue to rise.

SARS will continue to function as normal but no physical visits can be made to the branches to reduce the chance of the virus spreading.

SARS, Covid-19, Coronavirus
SARS has temporarily closed all of its branches as Covid-19 infections continue to rise. Photo credit: The Tax Faculty
Source: Facebook

The decision was made to avoid the high numbers of people visiting SARS during the first and last weeks of the filing season according to eNCA.

Read also

Third wave trends amid fears of increased level, tighter restrictions in Gauteng

AllAfrica reported that members of the public will still be able to book virtual meetings on the revenue collector's website.

This would also present an opportunity for SARS to show that their digital platforms can meet the demand.

PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel

Third wave trends amid fears of tighter restrictions

Thursday night ushered in the hashtag #3rdWave on the country's trends list as people got the conversation going amid speculation of tighter restrictions, or worse, a higher lockdown level in Gauteng.

This was despite the earlier assertions made by Gauteng Premier David Makhura during his budget vote speech at the Provincial Legislature in Johannesburg. Makhura, during his briefing of the Provincial Command Council, made it known that the province cannot afford a level 5 lockdown, dismissing the possibility.

Level 5 lockdown would be devastating

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has given an update on Gauteng's fight against the coronavirus pandemic during his budget vote speech at the provincial legislature in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Read also

Level 5 Lockdown Would Be Devastating, Says Gauteng Premier David Makhura

Makhura declared that the government was closely monitoring the situation as the number of positive coronavirus cases in the province reaches unprecedented proportions.

The Premier ruled out the possibility that a higher level of lockdown would be implementing in the province. In the last few days, there have been increasing calls for a more drastic approach towards flattening the curve in the country's economic hub.

"The various centres of the economy are recovering. So, we can't disrupt that recovery. We cannot afford [it] ... we can't shut down the economy," Makhura explained.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!

Source: Briefly News

Tags:
Online view pixel