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Durban’s Golden Mile was almost deserted on Wednesday as residents and tourists heard President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call to stay home.
It was the first of seven complete beach closures in the province during the holiday season.
Residents will also be prohibited from going to the beach on December 25, 26 and 31 and January 1, 2 and 3, traditionally the busiest days of the holiday season.
Health officials had warned that large-scale gatherings, fueled by alcohol, would add to the growing number of Covid-19 cases being recorded in the province.
The beaches of the Eastern Cape, the country’s hotbed of infection, were also deserted.
“Today is not a normal day at eThekwini ‘, as you can see. No one is swimming, but we also appreciate the fact that even if you can’t swim, people can still enjoy the walk on the beach. “
KZN MEC for transportation, community security and liaison, Bheki Ntuli.
However, in the Western Cape, where the provincial government has chosen not to close Cape Town’s beaches, people were enjoying the summer sun.
Speaking to the media during an inspection of the beaches yesterday, Police Minister Bheki Cele warned that failure to comply with the regulations could result in their closure or partial closure.
Meanwhile, the city of Cape Town says it will take legal action against Cele for closing yesterday the filming of a commercial on the beach in Camps Bay. During Cele’s walk, an altercation occurred with a film crew in Camps Bay.
“This contravenes Covid-19 regulations by having additional activity on the beach, which the president and regulations say cannot happen,” he told a man at the scene, who identified himself as “JP.” It turned out to be JP Smith, the member of the city’s mayor’s committee for safety.
Smith insisted that the filming was allowed by regulations and that the city of Cape Town had granted more permits.
However, the minister would not accept any of that. “This cannot continue… we are closing this. You know that you are breaking the law and you know that the regulations do not allow it, ”he said. The city later said it will approach the superior court.
Back in Durban, MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, was on the Golden Mile to see how SAPS and the eThekwini Metropolitan Police were handling the shutdown.
Accompanied by Metro Police Chief, Commissioner Steve Middleton, SAPS Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, and eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, Ntuli said that police officers and other law enforcement officers had been sent to the shoreline beaches.
At eThekwini, the municipality is also employing volunteers to help enforce Covid-19 regulations, something the MEC hopes will be repeated in other coastal cities.
“Today is not a normal day at eThekwini ‘, as you can see,” said Ntuli. “No one is swimming, but we also appreciate the fact that even if you can’t swim, people can still enjoy the walk on the beach.”
Kaunda said The witness that while the boardwalk was open for jogging, biking and walking, residents and tourists would have to adhere to the new rules announced Monday.
From left to right: Chief of Metro Police, Commissioner Steve Middleton, Provincial Commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Khombinkosi Jula, Mayor of eThekwini Metro, Councilor Mxolisi Kaunda, KZN MEC for Transportation, Community Safety and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, and Deputy Chief of the eThekwini Metro Police Example Mchunu was in Durban yesterday to make sure residents abide by the ban on using the beaches.
(Left to right) SAPS Provincial Commissioner Lt. Gen. Khombinkosi Jula, KZN MEC for Transport, Community Security and Liaison, Bheki Ntuli, and Durban Metro Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda spoke with informal traders in Durban during a compliance inspection yesterday.
As part of the nationwide curfew, people must stay in their homes, hotels, and other accommodations between 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
No one can sleep at night in public spaces, buses, taxis and cars, and loud music is prohibited. Everyone must wear a mask in public spaces, including on buses, and they are prohibited from drinking liquor in public places, including beaches and parks.
The park and amusement facility that operates in the center of Durban Beach will be closed on December 25, 26 and 31 and January 1, 2 and 3.
The rest of the days, the beaches will be open between 9 am and 6 pm.
“Failure to comply with the prohibitions, conditions, beach opening days and use of masks and social distancing measures, will result in the closure of those beaches in non-compliance throughout the holiday season,” said Kaunda.
The mayor also urged municipal hotels, restaurants and canteens not to prioritize profits at the expense of health and safety.
On the north shore, the Umhlathuze Township, which includes Richards Bay and Empangeni, plans to screen everyone who visits its beaches. Temperature checks will be conducted and people’s names and phone numbers will be taken to track contacts.
The number allowed in the pools will be limited and alcohol and loud music will be prohibited.
