Municipal-related implications of Covid-19 for tourism and outdoor spaces
UPDATED
Municipal-related implications of Covid-19 applicable to tourism, tourism-related services and recreational open spaces are as follows:The Wilderness Tourism office will be closed from Monday 23 March 2020 as a precautionary measure to protect staff and visitors. The small office does not allow for social distancing and, as it receives regular visitors from around the world including high-risk countries, it has been decided to close until further notice.Visitors can, however, still get local tourism information and do bookings for activities at The Booking Office in George Road (between Wilderness Mini Market and Blue Olive) from 8am-8pm, seven days a week. Phone calls and emails to the Wilderness Tourism office will automatically be forwarded to the George Tourism office, who will continue to render tourism services for Wilderness, George and surrounding areas.Tourism Manager Joan Shaw said George Municipality had to place safety first and, since the local extent of the disaster was yet unknown, it preferred to err on the side of caution. Contact George Tourism on 044 801 9296.While beaches remain open for now, no gathering/crowding of more than 100 people is allowed, and general rules of hygiene as recommended by Covid-19 protocol must be applied. Toilets at beaches will for now remain open.Municipal picnic and braai areas, including those at beaches, are closed for now.On-consumption premises selling liquor such as bars, restaurants selling liquor, clubs and taverns may only be open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays and closed from 1pm on Sundays and public holidays – early closure at night to limit close contact situations. Places that sell alcoholic beverages may not accommodate more than 50 people at a time, provided that adequate space is available and that all directions in respect of hygienic conditions and limitation of exposure to persons with Covid-19 are adhered to.Premises selling liquor which provide accommodation must implement measures to stop spread of Covid-19 provided that adequate space is available and that all directions in respect of hygienic conditions and limitation of exposure to persons with Covid-19 are adhered to.No special or events liquor licenses may be considered for approval during the duration of the national state of disaster.Off-consumption premises selling liquor must be closed from 6pm to 9am the next morning on weekdays and Saturdays and from 1pm on Sundays and public holidays.Ms Shaw said the Tourism office was aware of the adverse effect Covid-19 and its precautions were having on the tourism industry. “All spheres of government are aware of the immense impact this has, especially since we are in the middle of what would have usually been our international season. George Tourism continues to highlight such losses to all relevant roleplayers in this National Disaster situation,” said Ms ShawDistributed by George Municipality Communication DepartmentSenior Communications OfficerAthane Scholtz 044 801 9111 ext 9512 or 083 441 0331 or ascholtz@george.gov.zaCommunications Manager: Chantel Edwards-Klose 044 801 9160 or 082 350 2420 or cjedwardsklose@george.gov.za
George Municipality implementing COVID-19 actions
George Municipality Acting Executive Deputy Mayor Charlotte Clarke hereby confirms the measures the municipality is taking in regard to the Coronavirus. “The George Municipality assures all residents, communities and visitors that the George Municipality is closely monitoring the Coronavirus crisis in relation to the declaration of a National Disaster as called by the national government on 15 March 2002.“George Municipality held its first meeting in this regard last week already on Tuesday 10 March and on Monday 16 March 2020 an internal COVID Committee was formed to follow and monitor the situation. We trust officials will set the expected and appropriate example in delivering services to all communities inclusively. We ask the community to please exercise patience as we address and put in place new measures to ensure your safety as well as that of our staff and councillors.”Clarke said an inter-ministerial task team had been established whose roles link directly with the Garden Route District and George Municipalities. Since the South African State President decreed a State of Emergency on a national level, the lead is taken by National Government with local municipalities such as George facilitating implementation of local functions. In line with the declaration of a National Disaster, the Western Cape and Garden Route District Municipal Disaster Centres have been activated and George Municipality is represented at district level. An internal COVID Committee has been activated for the municipality which is working on all risks relating to our staff and members of the public accessing municipal buildings. The COVID-19 plans for the municipality include the following:The following municipal facilities and certain offices as used by the public and listed below will be CLOSED until further notice. Please note this list may be amended as and when required as the situation develops:
- Conville Swimming Pool
- Community Halls
- York Street Civic Centre
- Braai and picnic spots including those at beaches
- Municipal sport facilities including the Outeniqua Stadium
- Wilderness Tourism Office
- George and Uniondale Youth Cafe
- All public meetings and events in excess of 100 people have been cancelled until further notice and population certificates withdrawn where applicable.
- Council meetings will take place as and when required in accordance with regulations around gathering of people.
- Public Participation meetings for the Integrated Development Plan (IDP)and Budget will not take place and alternative methods of receiving public comments will be utilised. Media awareness campaigns will be intensified for the benefit of public awareness in this regard.
- Intensified cleaning protocols have been put in place in municipal buildings to protect employees and visiting public.
- Area Offices
- Civil Engineering Customer Care Centre
- Finance Cashier Hall (pre-arrangement to pay your bills?)
- Thusong Centre Touwsranten / Thembalethu
- George Tourism Office
- Social Services Office
- Housing Queries Office
- Human Settlements (Main Building)
- LED Office
- Sport Development Office
- Electrotechnical Services Office
- Civil Engineering Services Office
- Planning (Building Plans) 4th Floor
- Human Resources
- Corporate Services
- Legal Division
- Community Services (Meade Street)
- Protection Services (Cathedral Street)
- Law Enforcement and Emergency Services
- Traffic Department
- Motor Vehicle Registration
- Traffic Department / Drivers Licence – all eye testing equipment sanitised after each user
- Library operating hours will be reduced and will only provide basic services, namely the taking out and returning of reading material. No access to computers will be allowed for hygiene purposes.
- Cemeteries will remain open with the number of people limited at the grave site, as per the gathering regulation of no more than 100 people.
- Municipal Court
- NATIONAL COVID-19 hotline on 0800 029 999.
- WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL COVID-19 HOTLINE on 021 928 4102
- WHATSAPP SUPPORT LINE 0600 123 456 – Put the number into your contacts and Whatsapp “Hi”
- For more information and the latest news on COVID-19, please visit: http://westerncape.gov.za/coronavirus
- www.george.gov.za ; Municipal Facebook; Twitter; Municipal App
- Main Switchboard 044 801911
- Civil Engineering Complaints 044 801 9262/6
- Electrotechnical Services Switchboard 044 801 9222 and 044 803 9222
- Community Services Switchboard 044 802 2900
- Social Development: 044 802 2000
- Emergency Services 044 801 6311 (Fire ONLY)
- AFTER HOURS 044 801 6300
How to see germs spread
Video done by Mark Rober
SUSPENSION OF TOURS AT CANGO CAVES DUE TO COVID19
Oudtshoorn, 17 March 2020 – In light of the President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Declaration of a National Disaster to limit public social activities, Cango Caves will suspend operations from Wednesday, 18 March to 1 April 2020.The motion to suspend services were tabled by the Executive Mayor, Councillor Colan Sylvester in a Special Council meeting on Tuesday, 17 March 2020.“There is no higher priority than the safety of our guests and staff. Since the onset of COVID-19, Cango Caves have followed the guidelines of national and provincial authorities,” Mayor Sylvester said.“Based on the rapid spread of the virus it has been proven that no country or town is immune to COVID-19. As for yesterday 16 March 2020, a total of 62 cases had been confirmed in South Africa and this number is expected to rise. We have never before been confronted with such a severe situation.”“Over the past week several events such as the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (KKNK) and Bi-Athlon National Championships among others, have been postponed to limit the movement of people as a response to slow down the possible transmission of the virus.”“We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and will re-evaluate as needed. There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at Cango Caves.”For pre-paid reservations tourists may call the Cango Caves at 044-272 7410 between 9am and 4pm and the Cango Caves staff will reschedule the bookings for another date or issue a refund.
George Municipality hosts SAICE at significant water provision sites
The George Municipality hosted the South African Institution on Civil Engineering (SAICE) for a tour of some of the municipality’s significant water provision infrastructure last week. The visit was planned as the start of National Water Week activities and an Open Day at selected municipal water provision facilities in celebration of International Water Day on Saturday 21 March, which has since been postponed in light of the Coronavirus emergency measures. The tour started at the recently completed raised spillway and dam wall at the Garden Route Dam and included visits to the Outeniqua Waste Water Treatment Works, the Ultrafiltration Reuse Plant and the Pacaltsdorp Water Tower. “We have all our preparations in place and visited the sites in the company of SAICE President Fana Marutla and Acting CEO Steven Kaplan and are looking forward to hosting an Open Day as soon as possible,” said SAICE Southern Cape chairman Jan Brink. Pictured here on the Garden Route Dam wall with the new raised spillway in the back are, from left to right, SAICE Southern Cape chairman Jan Brink, George Municipality Deputy Director Water and Sanitation Henry Jansen, SAIVE National Acting CEO Steven Kaplan, SAICE National President Fana Marutla, SAICE Communications and International Relations Consultant Mischka Khan and Southern Cape SAICE treasurer Charles Rowe.
Corona virus – what to do.
Notes from George Mediclinic on what to do when you experience symptoms.If you are experiencing symptoms like sore throat, coughing and fever, the best advice would be to self-isolate at home. If you have been in contact with foreigners or have recently returned from abroad and have symptoms you are welcome to have yourself tested at the George Mediclinic Emergency Centre between 08:00 and 16:00. The test samples leaves from George to Cape Town every day at 17:00 and the results will only be available within 72 hours. After 16:00 please only visit the Emergency Centre if you have severe symptoms.If possible, pre-notify the Emergency Centre (044) 803 2053 that you are on your way for the test. We have set up a designated safe area where the tests are done to avoid walking through the hospital. Please follow displayed directions.This service is for private paying or medical aid patients and the same service and procedure is available at George Provincial Hospital. The cost at Mediclinic is R 1000 with R 250 extra if you do not have a file. The cost at the Provincial hospital is free.Please note that no hand sanitiser or face masks are being sold at Mediclinic George to the public or any health care professionals.
STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON MEASURES TO COMBAT COVID-19 EPIDEMIC
15 MARCH 2020
Fellow South Africans,
I am addressing you this evening on a matter of great national importance.
The world is facing a medical emergency far graver than what we have
experi-enced in over a century.
The World Health Organisation has declared the coronavirus outbreak as a
global pandemic.
There are now more than 162 000 people who have tested positive for the
coronavirus across the globe.
Given the scale and the speed at which the virus is spreading, it is now
clear that no country is immune from the disease or will be spared its
severe impact.
Never before in the history of our democracy has our country been
confronted with such a severe situation.
From the start of the outbreak in China earlier this year, the South African
gov-ernment has put in place measures to screen visitors entering the
country, to contain its spread and to treat those infected.
As of now, South Africa has 61 confirmed cases of people infected with the
virus, and this number is expected to rise in the coming days and weeks.
Initially, it was people who had travelled out of the country, especially from
Italy, who had positively tested for the virus.
It is concerning that we are now dealing with internal transmission of the
virus.
This situation calls for an extraordinary response; there can be no halfmeasures.
Cabinet held a special meeting earlier today.
After which, due to the serious measures we are going to announce, I have
consulted the premiers.
We have decided to take urgent and drastic measures to manage the
disease, protect the people of our country and reduce the impact of the
virus on our society and on our economy.
We have now declared a national state of disaster in terms of the Disaster
Management Act.
This will enable us to have an integrated and coordinated disaster
management mechanism that will focus on preventing and reducing the
outbreak of this virus.
We will also be able to set up emergency, rapid and effective response
systems to mitigate the severity of its impact.
Following an extensive analysis of the progression of the disease
worldwide and in South Africa, Cabinet has decided on the following
measures:
Firstly, to limit contact between persons who may be infected and South
African citizens
We are imposing a travel ban on foreign nationals from high-risk countries
such as Italy, Iran, South Korea, Spain, Germany, the United States, the
United Kingdom and China as from 18 March 2020.
We have cancelled visas to visitors from those countries from today and
previously granted visas are hereby revoked.
South African citizens are advised to refrain from all forms of travel to or
through the European Union, United States, United Kingdom and other
identified high-risk countries such as China, Iran and South Korea.
This is effective immediately.
Government will continue to regularly issue travel alerts referring to specific
cities, countries or regions as the situation evolves based on the risk level.
Any foreign national who has visited high-risk countries in the past 20 days
will be denied a visa.
South African citizens returning from high-risk countries will be subjected to
testing and self-isolation or quarantine on return to South Africa.
Travellers from medium-risk countries – such as Portugal, Hong Kong and
Singapore – will be required to undergo high intensity screening.
All travellers who have entered South Africa from high-risk countries since
mid-February will be required to present themselves for testing.
We will strengthen surveillance, screening and testing measures at OR
Tambo, Cape Town and King Shaka International Airports
South Africa has 72 ports of entry in the country which are land, sea and air
ports.
Of the 53 land ports, 35 will be shut down with effect from Monday 16
March.
2 of the 8 sea ports will be closed for passengers and crew changes.
Effective immediately, all non-essential travel for all spheres of government
outside of the Republic is prohibited
We further discourage all non-essential domestic travel, particularly by air,
rail, taxis and bus.
Secondly, it is essential therefore that we minimize the risk of the spread of
this virus by limiting contact amongst groups of people.
While we appreciate the economic, religious, and cultural significance of
social and community gatherings, the coronavirus is spread through
contact between persons.
As we have said before, the current circumstances require extraordinary
measures to curb the spread of infections. Countries that have heeded the
call to implement these radical measures, have fared much better than
those than do not.
Therefore to encourage social distancing Cabinet has decided on these
additional measures:
Gatherings of more than 100 people will be prohibited.
Mass celebrations of upcoming national days such as Human Rights Day
and other large government events will be cancelled.
Where small gatherings are unavoidable, organisers will need to put in
place stringent measures of prevention and control.
Schools will be closed from Wednesday, 18 March, and will remain closed
until after the Easter Weekend.
To compensate, the mid-year school holidays will be shortened by a week.
Government is working closely with colleges, universities and other public
facilities such as Parliament, prisons, police stations and military
installations to intensify hygiene control.
Visits to all correctional centres are suspend for 30 days with immediate
effect.
Government is aware of the confirmed case of a student who has tested
positive for the coronavirus at Wits University.
Those who have been in contact with the student will be quarantined.
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation is consulting with
vice chancellors of universities and colleges across the country and will
soon be announcing measures in this regard.
We call on all businesses including mining, retail, banking, farming to
ensure that they take all necessary measures to intensify hygiene control.
We also call on the management of malls, entertainment centres and other
places frequented by large numbers of people to bolster their hygiene
control.
Thirdly, to further strengthen our health response:
Government is strengthening its surveillance and testing systems.
We are in process of identifying isolation and quarantine sites in each
district and metro.
Capacity is being increased at designated hospitals in all provinces.
We are also increasing the capacity of existing contact tracing processes.
We are partnering with the private sector to set up a national tracking,
tracing and monitoring system of all people infected with the coronavirus
and those they have been in contact with
We are undertaking a mass communication campaign on good hygiene
and effective prevention behaviour.
Therefore, we are calling on everyone to:
• Wash their hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitisers for at
least 20 seconds;
••
over their nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with tissue or
flexed elbow;
••
Avoid close contact with anyone with cold or flu-like symptoms.
In essence, we are calling for a change of behavior amongst all South
Africans.
We must minimise physical contact with other people, and, encourage the
elbow greeting rather than shaking hands.
Because of the severity of this virus and its rapid spreading, government
will make funding available to capacitate the sectors dealing with the
national response to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Since the outbreak of this pandemic, our government’s response has been
led by an Inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by the Minister of Health, Dr
Zweli Mkhize.
We congratulate them on the outstanding work they have done – together
with their able support teams – to steer our country through this challenging
and un-certain period.
As part of the intensification of this effort, we have decided to establish a
National Command Council chaired by the President.
This Command Council will include, amongst others, members of the Inter-
Ministerial Committee and will meet three times a week, to coordinate all
aspects of our extraordinary emergency response.
My fellow South Africans,
In addition to the impact that this pandemic will have on health and wellbeing
of our people, and the impact it will have on the day-to-day life of our
society, COVID-19 will also have a significant and potentially lasting impact
on our economy.
In the last few weeks, we have seen a dramatic decline in economic activity
in our major trading partners, a sudden drop in international tourism and
severe instability across all global markets.
The anticipated effects of the decline in exports and tourist arrivals will be
ex-acerbated by both an increase in infections and the measures we are
required to take to contain the spread of the disease.
This will have a potentially severe impact on production, the viability of
businesses, job retention and job creation.
Cabinet is therefore in the process of finalising a comprehensive package
of interventions to mitigate the expected impact of COVID-19 on our
economy.
This package, which will consist of various fiscal and other measures, will
be concluded following consultation with business, labour and other
relevant institutions.
It is clear that this disease will be extremely disruptive.
Our priority must be to safeguard the health and well-being of all South
Africans, to minimise the number of infections and to ensure all those
infected get proper treatment.
While we are battling a contagious virus, perhaps the greatest dangers to
our country at this time are fear and ignorance.
We must appreciate the extent of the threat that this disease presents, we
must accept the anxiety that it causes, but we cannot allow ourselves to be
overwhelmed by fear and panic.
We should stop spreading fake and unverified news and create further
apprehension and alarm.
While we are facing a medical emergency far graver than we have
experienced in recent times, we are not helpless.
We have the knowledge, the means and the resources to fight this disease.
If we act swiftly, with purpose and collectively we can limit the effects of the
coronavirus on our people and our country.
Although we may be limiting physical contact, this epidemic has the
potential to bring us closer together.
We are responding as a united nation to a common threat.
This national emergency demands cooperation, collaboration and common
action.
More than that, it requires solidarity, understanding and compassion.
Those who have resources, those who are healthy, need to assist those
who are in need and who are vulnerable.
All the institutions of the state will be mobilised to lead this effort, but, if we
are to succeed, every company, trade union, NGO, university, college,
school, religious group and taxi association will need to play its part.
We thank those people who suspected they may have been exposed to the
virus for coming forward to be tested and for taking measures – such as
self-isolation – to prevent further transmission.
We thank the medical teams around the country who are leading our
response and are putting the well-being of others ahead of the risks they
face themselves.
On Saturday we welcomed 104 of our compatriots who were in Wuhan City,
China.
We thank the repatriation team for the task they performed with pride and
efficiency to return them to the country and ultimately to their families.
The repatriation has been successful and those who have returned have
settled in the quarantine area.
We thank the military health officials, pilots, cabin crew and all those who
participated in this exercise.
We thank the leadership and the people of Polokwane and Limpopo for
warmly welcoming our fellow South Africans.
We also extend our gratitude to the staff and management of the Ranch
Hotel who have accommodated our compatriots and also subjected
themselves to quarantine.
We extend our appreciation too to the companies, organisations and
individuals who have taken it upon themselves to disseminate information
about this virus and to raise awareness.
We thank those businesses that have taken steps to protect their
employees, and those unions that have taken steps to protect their
members.
Ministers who are at the frontline of coordinating our response to this crisis
will be briefing the nation tomorrow, where they will unpack details in
relation to the measures we announced tonight.
Fellow South Africans, this is the most definitive Thuma Mina moment for
our country.
I have great trust that our people will respond positively to this call to
common action.
Fellow South Africans,
This epidemic will pass.
But it is up to us to determine how long it will last, how damaging it will be,
and how long it will take our economy and our country to recover.
It is true that we are facing a grave emergency.
But if we act together, if we act now, and if we act decisively, we will
overcome it.
I thank you.
Soup kitchen volunteers thanksgiving ceremony
George Municipality held its annual thank you lunch for the Soup Kitchen volunteers that run 136 nutritional centres across George, Touwsranten and Uniondale areas.The volunteers were treated to a lunch with pudding and drinks for all their hard work during the year. They also received a present in the form of toiletries or a blanket. The event took place in the Lawaaikamp Community Hall.According to Cllr Sean Snyman, Portfolio Councillor for Community Development and Social Services, the Municipality currently supplies 136 nutritional centres in the municipal jurisdiction with dry ingredients to provide at least three nutritious meals to approximately 100 hungry children, people on chronic medications and frail elders three times a week. This equates to 129 000 meals provided on a monthly basis to hungry mouths.George Council is aware of the dire need in the communities and started the project to bring some relief to those people in the community who cannot fend for themselves. Chronic sick people are referred by the clinics to the nearest soup kitchen in their area. Snyman said though this project is not the mandate of the Municipality, “we as the council need to do something to bring some relief to our citizens. From next year we will however get the Department of Social Development to contribute to the project and in so doing to improve on it. “According to Ms Yuleen Campher, Coordinator, the soup kitchens are run at home by volunteers for which they receive no compensation for the service provided. The soup kitchens are spread all over the municipal and rural areas. If you are unsure of where your closest soup kitchen is situated, you can visit the George Municipal office on the corner of St. John’s and Varing Lane. Prior to a soup kitchen being opened, an investigation must take place to ensure that the applicant adheres to the conditions stipulated in the municipal policy and weekly monitoring is done at all of the soup kitchens.You can apply to run a soup kitchen at the Social Service offices, on the corner of St John’s and Varing Lane. Yuleen Campher and Veronique Ferndale are responsible for the Soup kitchen Project and any valid complaints about any of the soup kitchens, can be reported to them on 044 802 2000.
“60 Years and still going: All For The Love of Agriculture Well Done John Nqweniso”
As jong Xhosa man het John Nqweniso van ‘n plaas in Burgerdorp, George toe getrek en in November 1999 by die George Landbou Skou begin werk as grondbeheerbeamte aangestel deur destydse bestuurder Mnr Jan Stander.
Hier was John 3 jaar by George Landbou Skou
VIDEO TRAILER: fynfoto interview by Adin Walls
If this is your first ever #lovegeorge article, welcome! I’m excited to start a new segment on our website promoting young creatives and creators in general. If you are a budding YouTuber or a photographer or a writer or whatever send us your work at adinwalls@gmail.com and we will see how we can collaborate.Today’s video is the trailer for the upcoming feature on Hermune Pienaar (aka fynfoto) an ultra creative photographer, artist and entrepreneur in George. The video was sponsored by Rita Walls Optometrist in George. Hermune has incredible skills as a photographer with beautifully coloured edits. She is also busy developing a second hand online store called Founded which repurposes old clothing.Give the video a watch and a like and remember to download the #lovegeorge app to stay posted on future videos! We are very excited about the first episode and hope you stay subscribed for updates.Article by Adin Walls