Stats SA Suspends Field Visits

Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has suspend in-person data collection following new COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions.

The national statistical agency had resumed limited field visits across the country in April this year after pulling out in March 2020.

“All face-to-face data collection methods are suspended as part of precautionary measures to prevent transmission of COVID-19. The rising infections require all of us to remain vigilant and follow all the protocols,” said Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke.

Meanwhile, Stats SA has also taken a decision to delay the start of Pilot Census enumeration.

However, Mr Maluleke said Stats SA will continue with telephonic data collection for all household surveys in order to provide credible statistics to the nation.

“We cannot overstate the importance of continuing with data collection. Our data ensures that evidence-based decision making is used in policy formulation,” said Mr Maluleke.

Mr Maluleke said Stats SA will use alternative interviewing modes, including computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) and computer-assisted web interviewing (CAWI), to protect both households and fieldworkers against COVID-19 infection.

Stats SA is appealing to sampled households to cooperate with the national statistics office by participating in all its statistical surveys.

ENDS