Over recent months, news of the spread of the coronavirus, COVID-19, has gone viral. The dreaded disease spreading from continent to continent.
With the virus affecting approximately 80 000 people globally, leaving scores dead, the devastating effects of the disease are being felt around the world in several ways.
While there are no confirmed cases in South Africa, the country is still experiencing a knock-on effect of the disease’s impact on the globe.
This follows coronavirus-related disruption to Chinese manufacturing and exports. A disruption which will most likely have an impact on two major retailers in South Africa.
Woolworths warns that some imported items might not be available, as it prepares for the winter season. However, while there will be stock gaps in certain categories from mid-March, Woolworths does not foresee any immediate direct impact on its South African business.
Shoprite is allegedly at risk of losing approximately R100 million in sales, as the coronavirus disrupts imports of winter products, such as heaters and electric blankets, from China.
While monitoring the situation and remaining in contact with manufacturers and suppliers, Shoprite is forming contingency plans. This includes switching the source of supply to other countries, such as the Ukraine, Bangladesh and India.
The lobster catchers of South Africa’s Western Cape have also become an unexpected casualty of the coronavirus. This follows China halting imports of the West Coast rock lobster in January, as part of measures to contain the outbreak.
As the coronavirus has made its way to almost every continent in the world, the World Health Organisation will be assisting medical professionals around the world to limit further human to human transmission.
WHO experts will apparently be providing support in the areas of clinical management, infection prevention and control, surveillance and risk communication.
