The sun is going down on the beaches of the Eastern Cape, with residents and domestic tourists facing a nightmare scenario this Christmas. S...
The sun is going down on the beaches of the Eastern Cape, with residents and domestic tourists facing a nightmare scenario this Christmas.
Some residents in the Eastern Cape may be feeling like they’ve had Christmas cancelled with this latest announcement from Premier Oscar Mabuyane. The province has asked the government for permission to close all of its beaches ahead of the festive season – just a day before Cyril Ramaphosa addresses the nation.
WHAT BEACHES WILL BE CLOSED IN SOUTH AFRICA?
Discussions held by the KZN Legislature also punted the possibility of banning beach visits for the remainder of December. However, the Eastern Cape is in dire straits, as Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, and the Sarah Baartman Municipality all boast some of the highest COVID-19 transmission rates in the country.
The move to close beaches is highly controversial, and the DA has already made an impassioned argument against it. Shadow tourism minister Manny de Freitas believes that people are safer congregating on a beach than they would be at any indoor venue – as long as they act responsibly.
EASTERN CAPE RESTRICTIONS SET TO BE REVIEWED
However, Mabuyane and his colleagues don’t share those views. In a statement shared on Sunday, it was confirmed that both beaches and recreational parks would be shutdown for the foreseeable future. The Eastern Cape government has tentatively branded these venues as ‘super-spreader locations’ – although the evidence for this is disputed:
The decision is all but made for the Eastern Cape – and an official announcement is expected on Monday night.
“The leadership of the Eastern Cape provincial government and the leadership of coastal municipalities has taken a decision to close beaches and recreational parks. The main purpose is to stop the spread of COVID-19 infections.”
“We have realised that having an open activity in facilities and places poses a huge risk in terms of the beaches and recreational parks that are not controlled. These venues can act as super-spreaders, and we have communicated our decision to the national government.”Eastern Cape Government
WHAT BEACHES WILL BE CLOSED IN SOUTH AFRICA?
Discussions held by the KZN Legislature also punted the possibility of banning beach visits for the remainder of December. However, the Eastern Cape is in dire straits, as Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, and the Sarah Baartman Municipality all boast some of the highest COVID-19 transmission rates in the country.
The move to close beaches is highly controversial, and the DA has already made an impassioned argument against it. Shadow tourism minister Manny de Freitas believes that people are safer congregating on a beach than they would be at any indoor venue – as long as they act responsibly.
EASTERN CAPE RESTRICTIONS SET TO BE REVIEWED
However, Mabuyane and his colleagues don’t share those views. In a statement shared on Sunday, it was confirmed that both beaches and recreational parks would be shutdown for the foreseeable future. The Eastern Cape government has tentatively branded these venues as ‘super-spreader locations’ – although the evidence for this is disputed:
The decision is all but made for the Eastern Cape – and an official announcement is expected on Monday night.
“The leadership of the Eastern Cape provincial government and the leadership of coastal municipalities has taken a decision to close beaches and recreational parks. The main purpose is to stop the spread of COVID-19 infections.”
“We have realised that having an open activity in facilities and places poses a huge risk in terms of the beaches and recreational parks that are not controlled. These venues can act as super-spreaders, and we have communicated our decision to the national government.”Eastern Cape Government
- Advertisement -
Read More At The Online Coronavirus Portal Or Use The 24-Hour Public Hotline:
South Africa: 0800 029 999 or just Send Hie to 0600 123 456 on WhatsApp
Think Mzansi is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Think Mzansi. Any/all written content and images displayed are provided by the blogger/author, appear herein as submitted by the blogger/author and are unedited by Think Mzansi. Read More Here.
Think Mzansi Brand as a Durban-based online portal aims to help other South African brands to get off to the best start possible. We support local entrepreneurs and want to empower them to communicate their new business offerings effectively.
- Advertisement -
