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“When some spoiled rich kids on Daddy’s boat ruin everything,” is how one licensed tour operator describes the incident that has led to the closure of the Knysna Lagoon, and many people on social media.
Photos and a video, taken on December 24, of expensive pleasure boats parked in a popular spot on the Knysna Estuary called Under Milkwood, joined together for what looked like a party, with no observed social distancing, have caused outrage in the social networks.
But it also caused the closure of the estuary from December 31 to all water activities.
Blatant disregard for regulations
“Building on the recent unfortunate events that took place in the Knysna estuary, where members of the public demonstrated a blatant disregard for compliance with Covid-19 regulations (that is, no spatial distancing or wearing of masks), it demonstrated a The need for stricter controls to flatten and reduce the infection curve during this second and more intense wave sweeping across the country, “said Owen Govender, senior ranger for Knysna SANParks, Thursday.
Govender said that as of today December 31: “… SANParks has made the decision to restrict all recreational activities such as boating, swimming, skiing, tubing, fishing from boats, kayaking, canoeing, kitesurfing, etc. in the Knysna estuary effective December 31, 2020 until the NCC has reviewed Level 3 restrictions.
“What this means is that dozens of people who came for their annual vacation to Knysna, towed their boats, and paid for their licenses to be on the water, are now getting stoned and furious as only commercial operations will be allowed on the water. lagoon.
“All commercial operators registered with SANParks as concessionaires will be able to operate their vessels as they have all COVID control measures of detection, spatial distancing and use of masks in place and strictly adhere to these regulations. Kayak rentals are not allowed. , SUP, etc. to be operational during this period. Failure to comply with this may result in the specific operator being restricted due to non-compliance with control measures according to regulations, “says SANParks.
Rich kids who misbehave
“These kids on daddy’s misbehaving boats just hurt the already battered Christmas trade even more,” said Evelyn Pepler of Ocean Odyssey, one of the boat tour operators in Knysna.
READ HERE | Closure: Beach ban hits coastal city economies as hotels and resorts lose big
Knysna Chief Executive Ricky Van Aswegen said that due to this incident there was no alternative but to close the estuary, even though the number of Covid-19 infections in the city of Knysna has decreased in the last five days.
“We had a meeting of the District Committee Forum (which was attended by mayors from the region) this morning. Photos and videos of this unfortunate incident have gone viral even reaching people abroad,” Van Aswegen said warning that now it has become a “very serious situation”.
“The last thing we want to see is this becoming a racial problem, but disadvantaged communities are not happy that these people are breaking the law and not being detained. Why were no action taken against these people is what they are asking” , said. Van Aswegen, warning that this could have far-reaching consequences.
“Taxi drivers, who adhere to the regulations that are imposed on them, could also say that the law does not apply to them. Two mistakes do not do good. And what will happen to our fight against Covid-19 with an attitude like this one, “he said.
In the Western Cape, Covid-19 is spreading faster during the current second wave of infections than it was during the first wave. The Garden Route has stabilized, but the province will still follow closely. | @gerbjan https://t.co/HMVdJaW949
– News24 (@ News24) December 29, 2020
Pepler, who is also on the board of the Greater Knysna Chamber of Business, explained simply, “… how ugly it makes Knysna look.”
He said widespread damage has been done because even though commercial operators like Ocean Odyssey were still allowed to operate under strict Covid-19 regulations, “… it has spoiled it for everyone.”
Bitter pill
Pepler says the message now that commercial operators are open, but that private boats owned by law-abiding vacationers who followed all safety regulations cannot be in the water, is a “bitter pill.”
“I feel guilty because [business operators] They may be in the water, but many are not. The attitude among people is unhappiness and why are they [tour operators] and we are not allowed to enter the water, “said Pepler.” These rich white kids, many of whom are from out of town, totally abused the situation and now we will all pay for it. “
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There are about 12 commercial operators in the Knysna Estuary, including Black Pearl, Ocean Sailing Charters and others, who have done their best to comply in every way with Covid-19 regulations such as social distancing and capacity, he said. Pepler.
His company has two boats that are famous for taking people to Knysna Heads to see dolphins and whale watching in season – one that can normally carry 25 people now only allows 18 and 10 people in the 12-seater.
Now everyone is suffering.
“We’ve had a rough year, 90 percent overhead and cancellations with just a few reservations online now,” said Pepler.
Dream of a lifetime shattered
Mark Taylor saved up and bought a small boat for what he calls a, “… a lifelong dream of having a boat that came true in time for this holiday season and this summer.”
He is just one of hundreds of people who will be banned from the estuary.
“It is very unfortunate that SANParks did not exercise its authority to evict violators from the estuary and instead applied a blanket ban on all pleasure boats,” Taylor said disappointed.
READ HERE | South Africa Could Have Covid-19 Vaccine In April, Says Mkhize
News24 knows of tourists who just go home.
“We take our boat to our vacation home on Thesen Island every holiday season. It’s our annual vacation that the extended family looks forward to. We understood that the beaches were off-limits, but we were still happy to be on the estuary. And now that is. it’s ruined too. I can’t even canoe or swim! We can go home too, as being on the water is what Knysna vacations are all about, “said one person.
As of December 31, according to SANParks and Govender, this is how the rules apply in the estuary: “After the announcement of [President Cyril Ramaphosa] On … December 28, there have been mixed interpretations of what this would mean for the Knysna Estuary, which is part of the Garden Route National Park. “
Property sales are increasing on the beleaguered Garden Route, realtors say. The region has been severely affected by beach closures during the festive season, in an attempt to stop Covid-19 infections. Https://t.co/VJwioxKYNg
– News24 (@ News24) December 29, 2020
Knysna, within the Garden Route municipal district, has also been declared a hotspot for the rapid spread of the coronavirus.
“According to the modified regulation: [sic] DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2002: AMENDMENT TO THE REGULATIONS ISSUED IN THE TERMS OF SECTION 27 (2), Government Notice 1423, published December 29, 2020 * 36. (9) All beaches, dams, lakes and rivers , including all recreational facilities at these locations, are closed to the public in all hotspot areas.
* This regulation restricts the use of beaches, including those on the Knysna Estuary, for walking, running, dog walking, sunbathing, standing, or sitting.
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