UPDATE: Directions regarding measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 relating to environmental permitting and licensing processes during Alert Level 3

The Initial Directions were only valid for the initial lockdown period, being from 27 March to 16 April 2020, and did not contemplate the Alert Levels which were subsequently published in relation to the extended lockdown period.

On 6 June 2020, the Minister published several directions for the Alert Level 3 lockdown period relating to the regulation of processes under NEMA, SEMAs and other legislation governing the biodiversity, forestry and fishing sectors (Alert Level 3 Directions).

The Alert Level 3 Directions comprise of directions relating to:

• permitting and licensing in terms of NEMA and the SEMAs, which are aimed at ensuring fair licensing and public participation processes during Alert Level 3 (Permitting Directions). The Permitting Directions:
• allow the electronic submission of applications and virtual meetings with licensing officials;
• apply to provincial environmental departments, as well as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy; and
• repeal the Initial Directions, and provide for the extension of various NEMA, NEMWA and NEMAQA timeframes;
• the freshwater and marine fishing sector, which prescribe certain requirements for fishing during Alert Level 3, and provide for the extension of timeframes contained in fishing permits, rights, exemptions or licences;
• the biodiversity sector, which aim to ensure fair processes relating to permits, registrations and certificates during Alert Level 3 and extend the relevant timeframes (Biodiversity Directions). The Biodiversity Directions also provide for the carrying out of activities governed by the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004; the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act 57 of 2003 and any applicable provincial conservation legislation; and
• the forestry sector, which aim to ensure fair processes relating to licencing, evaluation of licence applications, and inspections in terms of the National Forest Act 84 of 1998.

It is important to consider and timeously seek advice on the implication of the Alert Level 3 Directions on business operations and any associated licensing processes.