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- Despite a second wave of Covid-19 infections in South Africa, tourists were seen crowding the Durban beach on Monday.
- Hundreds of people frolicked without masks or observing social distancing.
- Both Kwazulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape have sought to close beaches and parks during the holiday season.
Durban Beach is currently in the midst of its usual December Christmas boom, despite the official declaration of a second wave of Covid-19 infections by Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.
News24 visited Durban Beach this week, where hundreds of residents and tourists were found openly ignoring Covid-19 regulations.
Authorities patrolling the beach, including Durban city officials, were seen casually driving alongside those not wearing masks or practicing social distancing.
Along the North Beach Pier and heading towards South Beach, large crowds were observed enjoying the December recess as usual with the police, within an hour, passing three to four times without reprimanding anyone.
Speaking to News24, car guard Russel Break, 26, said he had been working on the beach for about a year.
He said he was not afraid of contracting coronavirus because those who tipped him always sanitized first.
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“They just drop or throw the money in my hands. First they disinfect and put it in my hands. I am not afraid of contracting coronavirus because I am willing to protect [myself]. “
The Kwazulu-Natal government resolved to close all beaches in the province, but Prime Minister Sihle Zikalala later said the matter was under discussion with the national government and had not been resolved, the Witness reported.
This was due to a debate on whether or not the use of the beaches should be allowed and only swimming prohibited.
Zikalala said that the provincial government had chosen to regulate the use of the beaches rather than close them.
Zikalala spokesman Lennox Mabaso, Ethekwini Metro and KZN police have not yet responded to a request for comment.
Addressing the nation on Monday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that all beaches in Kwazulu-Natal would be closed on December 16, 25, 26 and 31, as well as January 1, 2 and 3, 2021. .
All Eastern Cape and Garden Route beaches would be closed from December 16 to January 3, 2021.
All other beaches in the Western Cape and Northern Cape remain open. However, these beaches and parks would only be open between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Ramaphosa said the situation would be monitored daily by local authorities to ensure compliance with regulations on gatherings and the prohibition of alcohol.
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