Comment is sought by 4 August on proposals for harmonising the short code for national emergency services, which were published in the Government Gazette. It is mooted that the COVID-19 emergency services code 111 should be replaced with one of six short codes identified in the notice, notes Pam Saxby for Legalbrief Policy Watch.
Code 111 – traditionally used to access Vodacom’s customer care services – will presumably then revert to its original purpose.
COVID-19 health communications centres have apparently been “inundated” with Vodacom customer services calls ever since 111 was introduced on 15 April as the national COVID-19 emergency services number. Interested and affected parties are referred to the 2016 numbering plan regulations for further information on the harmonisation process.
[link url="https://legalbrief.co.za/diary/legalbrief-today/policy-watch/covid-19-crisis-emergency-services-number-to-change/"]Full Legalbrief Policy Watch report[/link]