Media Release
14 March 2020
JOHANNESBURG – The Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) on Friday evacuated staff from its Sandton, Johannesburg offices after receiving information that an employee’s partner came into contact with an individual who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus.
The EAAB became aware of the incident around 11am on Friday 13 March 2020 when the employee presented communications to the Human Resource department that the partner’s superior had tested positive for COVID-19 after undertaking an international trip.
The partner had been in direct contact with the superior and is currently undergoing tests. The EAAB employee will also be tested for COVID-19 and measures have been put in place to assist the employee.
As a precautionary measure EAAB CEO Mamodupi Mohlala instructed that all employees immediately vacate the premises.
Practical preventative measures are currently being implemented at the EAAB offices including procuring specialized cleaning services to undertake a deep cleaning process of the office over the weekend and installing hand sanitizers in key areas.
“We would like to emphasize that the measures taken are purely precautionary to protect the health and wellbeing of our colleagues, their families and all EAAB stakeholders,” said Ms. Mohlala.
Ms. Mohlala thanked the employee for being proactive in notifying the EAAB and encouraged other employees who are aware of similar exposure to do the same.
The EAAB has notified its mother body, the department of Human Settlements, who in turn will communicate all the details of the matter with the health ministry. The regulator’s board has also instructed the executives to draw up a Coronavirus policy.
All employees are encouraged to practice good hygiene habits, including the importance of washing hands properly and keeping a distance from people who are sneezing and coughing.
Updates on this matter will be shared with employees and stakeholders via all available communication tools.
Employees can contact the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) toll free hotline on 0800 029 999 for more information on COVID-19.
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For more information contact
Chandré Prince
Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Specialist
083 316 3028
