Media Statement: Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholder challenging the decision to close beaches

For Immediate release
15 December 2020

The Garden Route district now faces similar COVID-19 restrictions as the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, which are meant to curb resurgence of the COVID-19 coronavirus. This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday, 14 December 2020 that Cabinet took a decision to declare the Garden Route District municipal area as a Coronavirus hotspot with some additional restrictions. Some restrictions are already in place while others will follow over the festive season, including the controversial closing of Garden Route beaches from 16 December until 3 January 2021.

Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor for the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), said: “The closure of beaches is a hard pill to swallow because we are a tourism destination and our economy is still struggling to recoup from the hard lockdown.”

An urgent Garden Route District Coordinating Forum (DCF) was called by Mayor Booysen this morning where he engaged with local municipal mayors, municipal managers, command centre cluster leads, and stakeholders from SANParks, Cape Nature, National Prosecuting Authority, Western Cape Government Health, South African Police Services (SAPS), Western Cape Government Department of Local Government etc. to discuss the consequences of the President’s announcement. “Our plea and request/submission from this morning’s engagement and from the onset of the resurgence of COVID-19 in our region, has been for beaches in the Garden Route to remain open,” Ald. Booysen said.

Noon today, Alderman Booysen represented the Garden Route municipalities and presented the agreed submissions from this morning’s GRDM DCF engagement at a Provincial Coordinating Forum (PCF). The next step is for submissions to be communicated to the National Command Council, with the backing of the Western Cape Government. “One submission of particular importance to the Garden Route is for the Cabinet to relax the restrictions relating to the closure of beaches and to change it to the same restrictions faced by Kwazulu-Natal (KZN).” KZN beaches only have to be closed on 16, 25, 26 and 31 December 2020.

“I am adamant that we can still get through this if we avoid crowded places, close-contact settings, confined spaces and enclosed spaces. In addition, Garden Routers and tourists need to adhere to the golden rules of keeping safe and adhere to the new regulations. We agree wholeheartedly with the tightening of alcohol sales because it will lower the unnecessary alcohol-related trauma cases we often see at hospitals. We are hopeful that this resurgence will be over quickly,” Ald. Booysen concluded.

Below find an overview and impacts of the new regulations on the Garden Route.

ENFORCEMENT OF REGULATIONS

Drivers and operators of all public transport must ensure that passengers wear a mask. Similarly, managers and/or owners of buildings, places or premises (including retail stores), must ensure that those entering their premises wear a mask. Each employer must ensure that their employees wear a mask while at work. Please note that a person who contravenes these compliance measures are liable to a fine or imprisonment of up to six months.

CURFEW

The curfew is the same as Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, which starts at 22:00 and ends by 04:00. Non-essential establishments, including restaurants, casinos, gyms and bars, etc. must close at 21:00 to allow sufficient time for employees and patrons to return to their residences. Please remain inside your residence during those five (5) hours, except for emergency-related matters. Essential workers will still be permitted to move around during those hours.

SALE OF ALCOHOL

The sale of alcohol will only be permitted from 10:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Thursday. No one is allowed to consume alcohol in a public space, including at a beach or a park.

GATHERINGS

No more than 100 people will be allowed to attend indoor events, while the limit for outdoor events will be 250 persons. In addition, the number of people in a venue may not exceed 50% of its capacity. All post-funeral gatherings remain prohibited.

 BEACHES

The following link contains a list of all the beaches in the Garden Route: https://gardenroutedm.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c5645d8e62cd4d0aa148a965411ec611

Feature image caption: One of the popular beaches along the Garden Route coastline, the unspoilt, safe and breathtakingly beautiful Wilderness beach.

ENDS

Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality and stakeholders intensify Covid-19 monitoring and compliance inspections

For Immediate Release
14 December 2020

The Garden Route District Covid-19 Command Centre on a regular basis receives various complaints about local businesses not complying to the Disaster Management Covid-19 Regulations. Latest complaints received are from the public regarding businesses that are operating as if Covid-19 does not exist anymore.

During recent compliance visits to the Garden Route, similar complaints were also raised and brought to the attention of the representatives of the Western Cape Premier’s Office. Most of these include non-compliance by businesses such as taverns, shopping malls and shopping centres, shebeens, and businesses selling alcoholic beverages from their premises.

During November this year, Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) embarked on a door-to-door campaign with the aim of educating and informing businesses in the Garden Route in terms of safe practices to avoid the spread of the Covid-19 virus. During these campaigns EHPs also distributed pamphlets and donated disinfectants, however many businesses still failed to follow the advice provided. Customers enter the premises without being screened or their hands being sanitised. Customers are also allowed to enter these premises without face masks and Covid-19 awareness branding are also not displayed or visible for customers. These were the findings made by EHPs, amidst this aggressive resurgence where people are still getting infected and/or sadly succumb to the virus.

In addressing complaints, on 7 December 2020, the Garden Route Covid-19 Command Centre had a meeting with the South African Police Services (SAPS) Eden Cluster, as well as other stakeholders regarding the Covid-19 monitoring and compliance visits in all the places that are regarded as possible “super spreaders” of the virus. It was resolved that from Friday night (11 December 2020) stricter visits to these “super spreader” businesses will be done where businesses will receive compliance visits and inspections by  Compliance and Law Enforcement Task Teams. Teams  consist of EHPs from GRDM, Local Municipal Law Enforcement and Traffic staff, SAPS members as well as officials from the Department of Health and the Department of Labour.  Each team member simultaneously serve as conveners of the teams that have been established to conduct on-site inspections in seven (7) local municipal areas within the Garden Route district.

During the last Council meeting of the year, 10 December 2020, Executive Mayor, Alderman Memory Booysen, during his address urged businesses to become compliant. He said: “Out of this initiative that we have now embarked on where we visit premises to conduct spot-checks, we have already closed down some businesses in George and Hessequa, because they were found to be non-compliant. Mayor Booysen called on all businesses to comply to the regulations. “The next focus will be on businesses in the hospitality industry and recreation spaces,” he added.

The GRDM Command Centre call upon all members of the public within the Garden Route, to report any non-compliance by businesses to the Garden Route Disaster Management on telephone number at 044 805 5071 or contact an official (Task Team convener) relevant to your municipal area as follows:

• Emmy Douglas – emmy@gardenroute.gov.za – George
• Sam Bendle – sam@gardenroute.gov.za – Mossel Bay
• Lee-Ann Joubert – lee@gardenroute.gov.za – Bitou
• James McCarthy – james@gardenroute.gov.za – Knysna
• Pat Jordaan – jordaanp@oudtmun.gov.za – Oudtshoorn
• Desmond Paulse – desmond@gardenroute.gov.za – Oudtshoorn
• Martina MacDonald – martina@gardenroute.gov.za – Hessequa

It remains important that all members of the public, businesses and staff adhere to the following principles to protect themselves and others this festive season – if you are sick stay at home; wear a mask; keep a 1.5 meter distance from others; cover your cough or cough in your elbow; open doors as well as windows and avoid crowds, close contacts and confined spaces – most importantly stay safe!

ENDS

Media Release: Environmental Health Practitioners and Firefighters roll out more COVID-19 awareness at taxi-ranks

For Immediate Release
8 December 2020

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) from Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) recently again embarked on awareness activities at taxi ranks in all municipal areas of the district in an effort to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 amongst passengers, the elderly, vulnerable community members and communities in general. The initiative took place from 30 November to 4 December 2020.

As part of awareness sessions, GRDM EHPs and Firefighters from the GRDM and local municipalities in the region currently also focus on disinfection of public places and premises where people gather on a frequent basis – taxi ranks are included during these sessions. Although taxi ranks and mini-bus taxis are allowed to operate, taxi rank areas must be cleaned frequently with soap and water or detergents during their operating hours, as well as after it.  These activities will protect taxi drivers and passengers from contracting the virus. Added to the cleansing activities, drivers of mini-bus taxis are not allowed to permit any member of the public access to a taxi, if such a person is not wearing a mask. Passengers, drivers, guards and rank attendants must at all times wear a mask.

Any person can become infected with COVID-19 if they touch contaminated surfaces and then their face, eyes, nose or mouth or if they have come in close contact with persons who are infected.

Do the following:

Wipe down the surfaces at the taxi ranks with a diluted bleach solution (6 teaspoons of bleach in 1 litre water) while the rank is in use.

Steps to clean the outside of the minibus taxi:

• Wash the minibus taxi daily with soap and water; and
• Disinfect with a diluted bleach solution (6 teaspoons of bleach in 1 litre water -it is important to always wear gloves when cleaning and disinfecting surfaces).

Steps to clean the inside of the minibus taxi:

• Wipe the door handles thoroughly, as well as window ledges and seats with diluted bleach solution (6 teaspoons of bleach in 1 litre water).
• Leave windows open.

Precautionary measures:

• Passengers waiting in queues must keep a distance of 1.5m from the next person. Use the markers as a guide and avoid contact with other passengers.
• Individual passengers must not open the taxi doors, as the taxi door must be left open while waiting for passengers.
• Passengers are encouraged to limit contact with hand rails, vehicle doors etc.
• Only the attendant is allowed to open and close doors when picking up passengers along the route.
• Spray passengers’ hands with 70% alcohol–based hand sanitisers to clean their hands before they enter the minibus.
• The driver or attendant must rub their hands for 20 seconds with alcohol-based hand sanitiser after taking money from each commuter and request passengers to pay exact taxi fares if possible to limit contact with attendants and money.
• Although 100 % of the licensed capacity is allowed if not a long distanced trip, passengers have to sit as far from each other as possible. Long-distance trips are limited to carry 70% of the licensed capacity of the taxi.
• Windows must be kept open to allow fluid droplets to escape in case a passenger coughs or sneezes during the trip.
• Door handles must be sanitised, as well as windows ledges and seats, after each trip.
• The entire inside of the vehicle must be cleaned with soap or usual cleaning materials and must be disinfected at least twice a day.

ENDS

Media Release: “Communities should champion the containment of COVID-19”

For Immediate Release
7 December 2020

These are the words of Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize, who visited the Garden Route District Municipality on 5 December 2020. Dr Mkhize visited the district to touch base with some of the most critical role players involved in the Garden Route District COVID-19 response. He also said that it is important to understand the nature of the problem of why the COVID-19 numbers are climbing in the Garden Route. He referred to the Garden Route as part of a “belt” along the coast of South Africa, adjacent to other areas of huge concern, including Sarah Baartman District Municipality and Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.

Dr Mkhize made it clear that issues presented to him will be discussed with the Coronavirus Command Council, who will subsequently consider issuing further restrictions. He made it clear that the intent of National Government has always been to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and lessen the pressure on hospitals. He also urged Alderman Memory Booysen, Executive Mayor for GRDM, to identify issues that all municipalities agree upon and communicate such recommendations to his office.

The enforcement of Covid-19 related Disaster Regulations is still an issue facing all municipalities. GRDM has already implemented a training programme for the deployment of additional law enforcement officers to assist local municipalities with COVID-19 related enforcement.

Representatives from the health sector echoed the sentiment that higher levels of trauma are again experienced at hospitals since restrictions on the sale of alcohol and curfews were lifted. “At the moment it seems that such admissions are back at what it was at a pre-COVID-19 level,” said Michael Vonk, CEO for George Hospital.

Dr Terrence Marshall, who is responsible for leading the Garden Route Command Centre’s health response, stated that hospitals are under sustained pressure. “We have specific strengths in our district, which include the competence, ability and motivation of our people,” he said. “Our staff is resilient and we shall continue to do what we have to do.”

Dr Marshall praised the inter-sectoral cooperation, which has been the cornerstone of the coordinated response by the region’s various clusters that report to the Garden Route Command Centre on a weekly basis. “Our systems are in place, there is no doubt about that; the systems are working well,” Marshall said. He shared his concerns about the extent of what the near future may hold due to the fast approaching holiday season, accompanied by many visitors to the district from various parts of the country. “We need to carefully consider how to manage the situation going forward,” Marshall concluded.

After listening to all the presentations by executive mayors, the health sector and GRDM Disaster Management, Dr Mkhize commended stakeholders on the coordinated and combined approach to curb the spread of COVID-19. “One of the most important factors, for me, is the attitudes of cooperation I see here today.” He also welcomed any further ideas from the Garden Route that could be emulated in the rest of the country.

Minister Mkhize stated that he is of the firm belief that it is possible for the region to prevail over the current COVID-19 outbreak. “I am optimistic about the Garden Route’s ability to recover,” he said, while not specifically mentioning which other districts do not have structures and effective combined approaches in place like the Garden Route. He urged stakeholders to engage at a community-level to ensure that civil society, labour and communities at large fully understand their role in curbing COVID-19. “A unified message about COVID-19 and the importance of how to prevent the spread must be promoted by mayors and influencers,” he said.

He also highlighted the following:

• we can’t afford higher numbers and we must intervene to ensure that our health system is not overrun;
• a vaccine will take a couple of months to reach South Africa and it is therefore not an immediate local solution;
• the festive season is a concern as it might represent a resurgence in COVID-19 infections;
• the surge of infections coincided with the lifting of the restriction of movement;
• monitoring of COVID-19 is far more accurate, why it is possible to single out districts that face issues of rising active cases;
• National Government is in favour of a risk-adjusted response per area as risks are not the same in all areas;
• available beds at health facilities in the Garden Route is becoming an issue, as experienced in other parts of the country;
• healthcare workers all over the country are experts in how to deal with COVID-19 as they’ve dealt with a surge in COVID-19 cases before;
• the fear of COVID-19 has subsided amongst many healthcare workers because of their knowledge and experience, but psychosocial needs must also be attended to;
• he highlighted the benefits of the newly rolled out antigen testing which speeds up tests;
• alcohol-related trauma is still an issue that places additional strain on the entire healthcare system. He explained that those admitted because of diabetes, cancer or other illnesses are placed second in line because of alcohol-related emergency admissions. Those admitted for such admissions were either stabbed or injured in a motor vehicle accident related to intoxication;
• he welcomed proposals by stakeholders to promote the responsible consumption of alcohol by considering a reduction in trading hours and hours of onsite consumption. Dr Mkhize said that such a decision would have to be carefully balanced with the industry’s revenue, as alcohol sales increase by 25-30% during the December holidays and businesses must recover;
• on the issue of border control between the Eastern and Western Cape, he used the example of Limpopo where it did not work, saying that the issue must be discussed further;
• he agreed that law enforcement needs to be bumped up and, where possible, by-laws should be utilised;
• he requested more discussions surrounding the influx of tourists from all over South Africa to the region’s coast and how congestion would be managed be held;
• the queues at pay points remain a problem and better solutions must be sought to lower the congestion at these sites; and
• initiation season remains suspended because of COVID-19. Dr Mkhize said those not abiding by the law should be charged accordingly.

Feature image caption 1: National Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize; Executive Mayor for Garden Route District Municipality, Alderman Memory Booysen; Western Cape Government MEC for Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo; and Western Cape Government MEC for Human Settlements, Mr Tertuis Simmers.

More photos f the day:

ENDS

Media Release: Garden Route COVID-19 update – 3 December 2020

Area	Active cases 14 days ago	New active cases over last seven days	Percentage increase
Bitou	226	298	32%
George	877	1 032	18%
Hessequa	48	53	10%
Kannaland	18	18	0%
Knysna	397	501	26%
Mossel Bay	368	481	31%
Oudtshoorn	100	176	76%
Garden Route	2 034	2 559	26%