Fedhasa believes beach closures is not 'beneficial'
Hospitality association, Fedhasa, says it's concerned about a possible closure of KZN's beaches over the festive season, and what that will mean for the tourism sector.
Provincial government's mulling over the issue after South Africa entered a second Covid-19 wave this week.
Premier Sihle Zikalala's set to announce their decision later today, when he presents KZN's festive season safety and Covid-19 prevention plans. Lee Zama is with Fedhasa.
"Restrict access, possibly limit the hours of travellers to the beach, that is an option but a total closure, we do not think it would be beneficial," she says.
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She says the message about the closure of beaches has already contributed to some of the tourists cancelling their booking in the Durban area.
Informal traders at Umhlanga Beach are also worried.
This woman says her family depends on her.
"I'm the breadwinner in my house, my husband doesn't work my kids don't work and others are still in school. If the beaches close we will die of hunger. The government must think of other alternatives."
Another woman says they are already struggling as it is, " We don't have new stock, we're struggling. Customers don't even want to buy from us. They fear the virus from us, we fear it from them too."
KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala reiterated that the provincial government won't be allowing any special events at beaches this festive season.
He was speaking at the launch of 'Operation Vala', a KZN crime-fighting intervention in Durban yesterday.
He inspected restaurants and other businesses and whether they're Covid-19 compliant. Today, the Premier is set to present KZN's festive season safety and Covid-19 prevention plans. Zikalala says they're yet to make to a decision on visits to beaches.
He says the question is whether they allow people to swim or not, which will be finalised in due course.
For now people who are coming must be free to enjoy theirs stay but we have to discuss whether we need to allow swimming or not. We will be making an announcement soon, we have to consult with the national council.
