Blog Post

ATAF STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE GLOBAL SPREAD OF THE CORONA VIRUS (COVID-19)

African Tax Administration Forum • Mar 27, 2020

The novel corona virus/COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the health and social interaction of people across the globe. Since it was first reported in Wuhan, China, in November 2019, it has spread to 190 countries, with nearly 550 000 infections and over nearly 24 368 confirmed deaths according to the figures from the World Health Organisation as at 26 March 2020.

In Africa, more than 36 countries now have reported cases of COVID 19, with South Africa topping the list with over 927 cases. The WHO reported 1664 confirmed cases in Africa, and 29 deaths. But these numbers are rising hourly and daily.

To slow down and stem the spread of the pandemic, most countries have adopted a range of stringent measures including the closure of education institutions, the cancellation of gatherings and sports events, restrictions of social meeting places like restaurants and bars, and a ban on non-essential travel across borders.

The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF)’s Secretariat offices are based in Pretoria, South Africa, which now has close to a thousand confirmed cases of the virus. The South African Government has announced a range of measures to fight the spread of the virus. It announced a total lockdown for 21 days, from midnight on Thursday 26 March to midnight on 16 April.

ATAF is committed to ensuring the safety of its staff and members and is doing its part in helping to preventing the spread of this global pandemic. The Secretariat has therefore implemented the following measures with immediate effect, in line with the World Health Organisation’s recommendations and the State of National Disaster and lockdown declared by the South African President.

Closure of ATAF’s offices. To prevent the Secretariat staff’s exposure to potential risks of contamination, ATAF’s headquarters located at 333 Grosvenor Street, Hatfield Gardens, Pretoria, South Africa, will be closed with immediate effect, until further notice. No business meetings will take place on these premises, unless expressly cleared by the Crisis Management Task team and authorised by the Executive Secretary.

Implementation of virtual work. ATAF’s work will however not come to a halt. Secretariat staff will work from home and will use online tools for meeting purposes. All landlines at the ATAF Secretariat offices will remain unavailable throughout this period. Staff members, however, can be reached via email, mobile phones and Skype.

Suspension of all meetings, workshops and conferences. All ATAF meetings, conferences, workshops and other events scheduled to take place until the end of April are suspended until further notice, with the exception of events which can be held virtually (via video-conferencing or telephonically). In the latter eventuality, participants shall be informed accordingly. A revised workplan will be shared individually with stakeholders.

Suspension of all business travel. All domestic travel and missions to and from foreign countries, including to and from ATAF member countries, are postponed until further notice for ATAF staff and officials of member tax administrations who are travelling on behalf of ATAF.

For urgent queries, please contact us on the following Emergency Contact details::

Office of the Executive Secretary: +27(0) 82 601 6152 | +27 (0) 66 488 0039

ATAF Secretariat Media & Communications Unit: +27 (0)79 790 2960

A COVID 19 team has been set up to monitor developments and the above measures will be regularly re-assessed as new developments emerge and further communications will issued accordingly.

ATAF wishes to express its condolences to those who have lost family members, friends and colleagues to this pandemic and assure our members, partners and stakeholders of our solidarity throughout this crisis.

Thank you for your cooperation and your continued support.

Logan Wort

Executive Secretary

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