Media Release: Environmental Practitioners from GRDM ensured health and safety standards during holiday period
For immediately release
16 January 2026
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) has implemented its Seasonal Municipal Health Safety Plan to ensure the health and safety of residents and visitors during the December holiday period.
As tourists entered the region GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners (EHPs) intensified their Municipal Health plans conducting inspections while monitoring and creating awareness across all seven local municipal areas to protect public health during the busiest time of the year.
The following inspections were conducted:
Knysna Region:
- Formal food premises – 54
- Informal food premises – 14
Pre-seasonal Health and Hygiene inspections were conducted of at major food outlets, malls and shopping centres. During this period no food related incidents were reported to this office.
George – Wilderness region:
- Formal food premises – 44
- Spaza shops – 25
Premises were under severe pressure due to the influx of tourists to the area. This made cleaning as-you-go challenging and most cleaning was done after business hours. Hiring more staff is an option that can help clean continuously, but it comes at a cost. Premises must not stretch beyond their reach in Decembers and accommodate more customers than they are able to handle – this is to ensure that food safety remains prioritised.
Although people followed health and hygiene standards, a possible scabies outbreak was reported in the area. Following inspections conducted, it was discovered that only two cases occurred, after which the facility acted to prevent further spread in the area. Health education was provided to the management of the facility.
Another complaint of children defecating in the water at the Touws River was received and subsequently a swimming section was cornered off for no swimming due to contamination. It is important to be reminded that there are clean public bathroom facilities to use and that many people also swim in the same water, so the water must be left in the clean condition it was found in.
Stalls/markets in the area were also monitored to ensure ongoing compliance, and mostly everyone complied.
George – Outeniqua region:
- Formal food premises: 86
- Informal food premises: 107
Highlights experienced in this area were that all informal food stalls were registered prior to events; health and hygiene requirements were met by all food handlers/owners; and minor incidences were addressed and rectified immediately showing co-operation and willingness to adhere. Furthermore, no health and hygiene complaints were received from various platforms during the holiday period.
EHPs extended a message of gratitude to all businesses for their cooperation and the commitment that they have showed towards the environmental well-being of the communities of the Garden Route.
Bitou region:
The following inspections were conducted:
- Formal food premises: 39
- Information food premises: 1
- In the Bitou area, residents and visitors followed and complied to health and hygiene standards – all inspected food premises complied, with no cases of food poisoning reported.
Mossel Bay region:
The Mossel Bay area hosted various events including the:
- “Matriek Baai”
- Jazz Festival
- “Afrikaans is Groot” (2 events)
- 2 x Christmas White Tents in Hartenbos
- Markets – Brinkleys; Great Brak River
- Amongst others.
With these events that were hosted in Mossel Bay, the EHPs also included inspections of these and other premises in their planning for the holiday period. The following premises were inspected:
- Formal food premises (complied): 58
- Informal food premises (complied): 70
- Spaza shops (complied): 9
- Other premises (complied): 18
A highlight of this area was that all informal food stalls were registered prior to events. Health and hygiene requirements were met by all food handlers/owners, however, minor incidences were addressed and rectified immediately’ showing co-operation and willingness by business owners and managers to adhere to the health and hygiene standards. No health and hygiene complaints were received from various platforms during the holiday period.
Furthermore, EHPs from the Mossel Bay region did regular monitoring of the bacteriological standard in the Hartenbos River during the holiday. From the total of four samples taken at two sampling points at the Hartenbos River, all the samples complied bacteriologically.
Hessequa region:
The following inspections were conducted:
- Formal food premises: 37
- Informal food premises: 14
- Spaza shops: 52
Most of the inspections were follow-ups as to ensure compliance to relevant regulations. Caravan parks were well maintained by the Hessequa Municipality with excellent hygiene standards applied.
The following events took place:
- 20 Dec 2025 – Cooler Box Chill out, Riversdale
- 20 Dec 2025 – Cooler Box Chill out, Heidelberg
- 21 Dec 2025 – Cooler Box Chill out, Albertinia
- Christmas Outreach
- 27 Dec 2025 – Summer Baze
These events were regarded as low-risk events as only one food trader were operating at the events. Hygiene aspects with regards to food safety, waste management and sanitation, were thus adhered to.
Oudtshoorn and Kannaland:
Between 15 December and the 5 January 2026, 41 inspections were conducted in the Klein Karoo region. This included formal food premises and general surveillance inspections. No food related complaints were received over the festive season.
Regrettably, the water situation in Kannaland worsened to the point where water had to be transported to areas where there was no accessible water available. Kannaland also received assistance from various sources to help alleviate the problem.
Two crucial lessons learned during the festive period, is communication and safety.
- Communication is critical: Effective and efficient Municipal Health Services requires constant dialogue between management and the public and that regular training and awareness sessions at business premises be conducted.
- Safety: It is not just the EHPs responsibility; it is a cooperative effort involving everyone to maintain a healthy and safe environment.
The Municipal Health Services of GRDM extends a word of gratitude to the community for taking care over the festive season and wishing everyone a prosperous and blessed 2026.
ENDS
The take-away message for this year was “Clean hands are within reach – a small action that creates a big impact on global health”
