Podcast: Level 3 lockdown and tourism

Lawyer and journalist Helene Eloff discusses the issue in her latest podcast.

The Kruger National Park and other public and private reserves in South Africa will not open for the public during lockdown Level 3.

In addition to confirming the above, SANParks spokesman Isaac Phaahla indicated that the Department of Tourism should provide clarity on the latest lockdown regulations as it pertains to tourism, within a week.

Yesterday (May 28, 2020) the South African government issued the latest version of regulations that will govern residents from June 1. These regulations will facilitate the country’s transition from a home-based to a home- and workplace-focused state of lockdown.

South Africa has been in a disaster state since March 26. In classifying South Africa as such and implementing strict restrictions, government has been trying to limit the spread of the deadly, incurable and highly infectious Covid-19, or the new coronavirus. So far, as of 29 May, 27 000 South Africans have been infected. 577 have died. The global infection rate exceeds 5.6 million.

Speaking of global – the South African tourism industry is a global tourist magnet. Millions of people from all over the world come to our beautiful country every year. Tourist hotspots include the Kruger National Park, which has been central to enquiries on our latest lockdown regulations.

International travel has been prohibited since the start of lockdown, as was interprovincial travel. We are urged to stay home and leave only to obtain basic necessities or, for some, to work. These regulations will lift slightly as we move from the current Level 4 lockdown to Level 3.

An excerpt of the latest amendments has triggered conversations in the tourism industry as articulated by Linda Grimbeek, chief operating officer of the ‎Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism on Facebook.

Although a future briefing by the Tourism Department should provide insights, lawyer and journalist Helene Eloff discusses the issue in her latest podcast available below.

Dear reader,

As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19.

Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za).