We are monitoring the developments of the Covid-19 pandemic constantly, and as a result our strategy is ever evolving - what we are doing today might not necessarily be what we will be doing tomorrow.
For now, our tasting room remains open. We kindly ask that all guests disinfect their hands with the hand sanitizer provided prior to entering the building. We have increased the frequency of our cleaning schedule in the tasting room as well as all common areas, with focus on bathrooms, handrails, tasting counters etc. For now. cellar tours are cancelled until further notice to prevent unnecessary contact.
We do implore that all guests practice physical distancing, keeping a safe distance of one meter between each other as well as our staff. If you have been experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as shortness of breath, fever, or a dry cough, or if you consider yourself a high-risk traveler, we would like to ask you to refrain from visiting our facilities.
We strongly feel now is the time to support your local wineries by staying home, and drinking in.
We have halved our delivery fees for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic, as long as that might be, and have also enabled a "local pickup" option on our online shop for our local customers, where you can order online and collect your packed order from the farm at a time convenient for you, with no need for physical contact.
You can shop our wines online HERE.
Our wine deliveries to restaurants and customers remains unaffected for now, until our courier and delivery companies inform us otherwise. We are working on making sure we will have enough stock should there be a period of shutdown on the production side.
With regards to our staff and production side of the farm, the facts and dangers surrounding the novel Coronavirus has been communicated and explained. We are scanning the temperatures of every staff member in the morning before getting on staff transport, which will also be sanitized frequently, as well as at the end of each work day. The farm vehicles have all been equipped with sanitizers/disinfecting spray, and the frequency of hand washing/sanitizing has been increased and enforced. We are targeting all potential hot spots - from our attendance machines to implements that are used across the farm.
Our farm & cellar staff have a scheduled holiday from the 3rd of April, and we will be monitoring the situation closely, possibly closing earlier, or extending the holiday accordingly. All annual and sick leave is paid for.
As this is an ever-evolving situation we will be evaluating our strategy daily. We are aware of the vulnerability of our community, and want to keep our staff and region safe. We are doing the best we can do, and following the guidelines given by WHO and the South African government.
For now, keep safe, wash your hands, and don't touch your face.
All the best,
The Springfield Estate team