Cape Town’s Mayor Dan Plato made a statement announcing that all the city’s beaches will be closed from 24 March.
As a result of other facilities being closed, Plato says there has been an increase in beachgoers.
Beaches in the Cape Town municipal area will be closed from tomorrow morning, 24 March 2020, ‘to limit public contact and to assist our residents with respecting the National Government’s call to practice social distancing.’
According to the statement, the beaches along Cape Town’s coastline will be closed for all recreational activities until further notice.
From Tuesday 24 March the following will be prohibited:
- swimming,
- surfing,
- kite-surfing,
- kayaking,
- recreational fishing
- and any other beach or water-based activity
Police will patrol the beaches to ensure adherence to the new restriction.
‘Lifeguards will also remain stationed on the beaches to assist the Law Enforcement Department. There will, however, be no flags to indicate demarcated swimming areas, in line with the new regulation.
The Shark Spotting Programme will also be stopping all shifts and no Shark Spotters will be on duty at any beaches as of 17:00 this evening, Monday 23 March 2020.’
‘We have seen around the world how members of the public have flocked to beaches during this critical time and we want to ensure that residents and visitors are not placing themselves at increased risk by congregating in large numbers at beaches.’
Image credit: South African Tourism/ Flickr
Feature image: Unsplash
