[ad_1]
The region’s beaches have been closed until January 3, 2021.
Garden Route National Park. Image: Facebook
CAPE TOWN – The Democratic Alliance (DA) launched an urgent lawsuit Thursday challenging the government’s decision to close Garden Route Beaches.
The beaches in the region have been closed until January 3, 2021, by order of the National Coronavirus Command Council.
ALSO READ: CoCT requests a ban prohibiting Cele from closing film crews on the beach
DA leaders initially set a 5 p.m. deadline Wednesday for President Cyril Ramaphosa and Cooperative Governance Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to give reasons for the move. Then he requested an extension. The Presidency took note of the urgent request and said that the matter will be resolved through legal procedures.
The party extended the deadline until 1 a.m. Thursday, but said both Ramaphosa and Dlamini-Zuma did not respond. Ramaphosa made the announcement to close beaches on Monday after the surge in COVID-19 infections across the country, and the Garden Route was added to the list of hotspots. These include Nelson Mandela Bay and the Sarah Baartman District.
The Western Cape province saw a resurgence of COVID-19 infections in recent weeks, with Cape Town and the Garden Route reporting increased infection rates.
“The fact that the national government has requested additional time to prepare a response to our letter requesting the reasons for the decision to close the Garden Route beaches only shows that there were none to begin with. It would appear that any motive provided now would be fabricated ex post facto, “DA leader John Steenhuisen said in a statement.
He added: “The Office of the Prosecutor and our governments in the coastal municipalities of the Western Cape have fought vehemently against any beach closures during the festive season, as such regulation is not in line with available scientific advice from medical experts and is impossible to do. comply. “
OBSERVATION: Beaches closed, new access points, and early curfew: COVID-19 restriction update
READ: Cele to report to coronavirus council after visiting CT beaches
Steenhuisen emphasized that the government’s decision would have a severe impact on the region’s economy.
“This regulation is also proving to be the final nail in the coffin for the Garden Route coastal economies that are approaching total collapse,” he said.
“Companies in the hospitality industry along the Garden Route are already reporting devastating and life-threatening losses in the hundreds of millions of rand. This is precisely the reason why we urgently turn to the courts to expedite the reversal of this decision, as the livelihoods of thousands of people are currently at stake. “
The party expects the case to be heard at Western Cape High on Monday.
Download the EWN app on your iOS or Android device.
[ad_2]
