Tourism body concerned over possible travel restrictions

The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) has raised concerns over the possibility of the full closure of beaches during the festive season.

This comes amid speculation that the National Coronavirus Command Council might consider closing beaches during the Christmas period to help slow the rapid spread of COVID-19.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on Monday night on developments in the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

TBCSA CEO Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa says there needs to be careful consideration of further restrictions to ensure social distancing is carried out.

“We should keep in mind that the majority of people that go to the beach on those specific days are people that are coming from townships and rural areas once a year. If you have people that do that once or twice a year and now we are going to be closing off, what are the alternatives that we are offering the people that come to the area? I do believe we need to identify specific days that may be a problem and let’s find a solution for those days because the beaches are not filled to capacity every day. People are at least outside, where are we pushing people? Are we saying stay indoors and mingle and drive around and be with other people other than being outside by the beach and enforce social distancing?”

South Africa has registered a further 7 999 new coronavirus (COVID-19) bringing the cumulative number of cases to 860 964. 

According the statement released by the Department of Health on Sunday evening, 170 more COVID-19 related deaths have been reported, with the Eastern Cape recording the most number of fatalities at 94. 

“Free State 11; Gauteng 3; KwaZulu-Natal 4; Northern Cape 4, and Western Cape 54. This brings the total deaths to 23 276.”