Disaster Centre Covid-19 Western Cape municipalities are open for tourism this festive season
2 December 2020
Disaster Centre Covid-19 Alert #4
Western Cape municipalities are open for tourism this festive season with all visitors requested to work with the authorities in curbing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, says municipalities are doing everything within their power to ensure holidaymakers, visitors and locals enjoy a safe and happy festive season.
“We cannot wait to welcome visitors to our municipalities at the end of a very tough year but we are alerting people to the fact that Covid-19 numbers are increasing. And we are asking people to work with us by being responsible and doing everything they can to help reduce the risk of infection or spreading the virus.”
Bredell says the province is opposed to a lockdown and blunt measures, and needs the help of every person to reduce the numbers of infections and hospitalisations so that we can save lives and livelihoods.
“If we all work together, we can have both a happy and a safe holiday season throughout the Western Cape as well as successfully combat the spread of this virus.”
Due to the risks of Covid-19 spreading at major gatherings of people, some places in Western Cape have decided to stop all mass public gatherings until the resurgence gets under control.
This is primarily with regards to events where organisers need to apply for permits. These permits will not be granted in the Garden Route while some parts of the Central Karoo has already made public facilities unavailable for events.
However, there are still many wonderful and safe ways to enjoy all parts of our province, that will prevent the spread of Covid-19 and we encourage you to explore these exciting opportunities.
“The provincial disaster centre and our stakeholders will continue to enforce existing disaster management regulations across the province with roadblocks, blitzes and unannounced visits to high risk areas to ensure compliance over the holiday season. Our partners include national SAPS, municipal law enforcement, the departments of labour and health, to name a few.”
Bredell is also calling on visitors and locals in the province to be patient with officials and other workers in government over the coming weeks.
“Staff across the province remain under high risk of infection after a very tough year. In addition, in many hotspot areas, staff are on skeleton crews, reducing the ability to address problems promptly. We ask for patience and understanding in this regard. Problems will be addressed as soon as possible.”
Members of the public, businesses and other organisations who wish to report violations of COVID-19 protocols can do so as follows:
> Using the online complaint form available here: https://coronavirus.westerncape.gov.za/covid-19-business-safety-complaint-form
> Dial *134*234# to report non-compliance of public transport
> For COVID-19 health related queries, the provincial COVID-19 toll-free hotline number is 080 928 4102
> For general queries, the Western Cape Government’s contact centre can be reached on 0860 142 142