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By Marvin Charles 
2h ago
Cape Town: Cape Town’s nightlife could shut down as the province’s Disaster Management Center prepares for a deployment of law enforcement officials specifically targeting bars and entertainment venues.
Mayco Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said: “We have made a commitment with the province to provide additional resources. We will target entertainment and entertainment venues and enforce our regulations more aggressively. “
Smith said they had begun imposing fines on those who failed to comply with the closure regulations.
“They are not popular but we have to do everything we can to avoid going to level 3.
“The taverns, in particular, have proven to be super spreader and have contributed to accidents. With the current resurgence of Covid-19, our healthcare system needs all the help it can get.
“Therefore, we ask the public to do their part and adapt their behavior accordingly, and most importantly, to notice the difference between alcohol consumption and alcohol abuse,” he added.
The next two weeks for the country are crucial as President Cyril Ramaphosa met yesterday with the National Coronavirus Command Council.
The country’s state of disaster expires next Tuesday.
The discussion comes amid fears of a possible tighter lockdown as the number of coronavirus infections rises in some parts of the country, including the Eastern Cape.
Meanwhile, some regions of the Western Cape will no longer allow public events that can carry large numbers of people.
Local government, environmental issues and development planning MEC Anton Bredell said: “The region is experiencing increases in Covid-19 infections.
“In addition, a large number of visitors is expected during the next few weeks, which further increases the risk of infection.
“This requires drastic action that we are not afraid to take. Our job comes down to enforcing disaster management protocols to help slow the spread of the virus in the Western Cape.
“We are enforcing the law with the resources at our disposal and in partnership with the police, law enforcement, departments of labor and health, to name a few.”
Bredell added that the province’s Disaster Management Center and stakeholders were already enforcing existing disaster management regulations across the province with barricades, bombings and unannounced visits to high-risk areas to ensure compliance.
Long Street Association President and Beerhouse owner Randolf Jorberg said: “With very few exceptions in the CBD, we have already seen an incredible amount of police checkpoints in the last few months since we moved to level 1.
“We don’t need more signs about what is happening in bars or entertainment venues.
“On Long Street, we have experienced massive amounts of checks that have bordered on harassment and intimidation.”
Cape Argus
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