The City of Cape Town’s Executive Mayor, Dan Plato, has reiterated that public parks, nature reserves and beaches will remain closed until further notice. However, people will be allowed to exercise in certain spaces between 6am and 9am, from today [May 1].
In a statement, Plato said that, along with other officials, he studied the amended Disaster Management Act regulations as published by the National Government in preparation of Level 4 of the COVID-19 lockdown period. From these amendments it is clear that no municipality can open these public spaces for use.
While these will remain off limits, there are allocated spaces where people will be allowed to exercise.
“I am pleased to say that public thoroughfares across the city will be open for those residents who want to run, jog, cycle or walk within a 5 km radius from their homes between 06:00 and 09:00,” he said.
These include spaces such as:
• Sea Point promenade (the paved area, and not the grass, or play area)
• Muizenberg to St James walkway
• Strand promenade
• Willis Walk in Simon’s Town
• Kommetjie walkway to lighthouse
• Government Avenue next to the Company’s Garden; and
• all other publicly accessible boardwalks or pathways
“I am sure these concessions will bring some relief during this time when our freedom of movement is curtailed. At the same time, I am calling on residents to please continue to practice physical distancing when they are out exercising,” said Plato.
The Executive Mayor urged all those who will be taking advantage of these new concessions to wear a face mask or to cover their mouths and noses with a cloth when they leave home. He also asked that those exercising do not congregate in groups.
“The national regulations for Level 4 are not too different from Level 5 in terms of the movement restrictions. Please respect these regulations. By working together, we can flatten the curve and limit the spread of the virus, and get back to work as soon as possible,” he said.
Picture: Unsplash