Tag Archives: ports

Regulations for Lockdown Alert Level 2 gazetted: No mention of lifting cigarette ban in regulations!

 

I was fortunate to receive a copy of the gazetted Lockdown Level 2 regulations prior to the presentation by Minister Dlamini-Zuma at a Media Livestream just after lunch time today.

 

The Regulations are as follows:

1. The Curfew remains in place, from 22h00 – 4h00

2. A mask must be worn at all times when leaving one’s home, including in public transport

3. No more than 50 persons may attend a funeral

4.  No evictions from own accommodation is allowed.

5.  Any disputes regarding rented accommodation must be heard by the Rental Housing Tribunal

6.  Gatherings are not allowed except for a funeral, a religious gathering, the workplace, conferences and meetings, cinemas (maximum of 50 persons), theatres, concerts, and live performances of up to 50 persons. casinos, auctions, sporting activities, weddings (limited to 50 persons), social events at one’s home with a maximum of 10 persons, fitness centres and gyms (maximum of 50 persons), sports fields, swimming pools (maximum of 50 persons), beaches, public parks, museums, galleries, libraries, Personal Care services, restaurants, bars (maximum of 50 persons), Taverns (maximum of 50 persons), Shebeens (maximum of 50 persons), tour operators, and all accommodation establishments including AirBnB (maximum of 50% of floor space).

7.  Night clubs are not allowed to open.

8.  The country’s borders remain closed except for ports (but cruise ship stops are still banned), and for approved flights for persons requiring international medical care, and for incoming and outgoing repatriation travel.

9.  Transport regulations: buses and taxis may not carry more than 70% for long distance travel, and 100% for any other travel; all passengers must wear a mask.

10.  Licensed on-consumption establishments may sell alcohol (no timing restrictions) , while licensed off-consumption outlets may sell alcohol on Mondays – Thursdays, from 9h00 – 17h00.

A shock is that the ban on cigarette sales, which the President announced would be lifted, is not mentioned in the gazetted Level 2 regulations at all. A news report by News24 states: ‘Level two has no provisions on tobacco, which means no restrictions or limits in the sale of cigarettes, vaping liquid, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, or anything associated with these products’.  In her speech, the Minister mentioned that cigarettes should be smoked responsibly, and should not be shared!

 

About Chris von Ulmenstein

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide

 

Corona Virus Lockdown: SA Wine exports put under lock and key, industry loss of R800 million per month!

 

One of the shock decisions by the Government during the State of Disaster during the Corona Virus Lockdown has been to make it illegal to export South African wines, and to transport wines from wine estates to the ports, just nine days after exports were allowed, and despite the export of fresh fruit and other agricultural products being allowed. The export wine ban means a loss of R200 million per week to the wine industry, says industry body VinPro.  Continue reading →

Tourism could be cruising if we had better port facilities!

Cruise tourism in Africa has a fantastic potential, but infrastructure constraints are restricting its development, speakers at the Seatrade African Cruise Forum said earlier this week, reports Business Report.

Poor infrastructure at ports, poor safety and security, high port fees, unclear berthing policies, political instability, few shore excursions, poor service, and distances between destinations were mentioned as deterrents to the development of cruise tourism on our continent.

MSC Cruises is the most frequent user of South African ports with its cruise liners, and has called on Transnet to build a dedicated cruise liner terminal in Durban.   A poor port facility reflects badly on the destination as well as on the cruise company, they say.   Cruise liner guests do not wish to get on board a liner if they have to wait, and that is what happens at some South African ports.  Transnet is investigating the viability of a dedicated cruise liner terminal for Durban.  If found to be feasible and financially viable, the terminal could be completed by July 2015, Transnet has stated.  The industry wants a facility that can berth two boats simultaneously, and can accommodate 5000 passengers.

Piracy too is a deterrent to cruise liners supporting African ports, such as Tanzania, Kenya and the Seychelles.  The cost of insurance if the Indian Ocean is included in a cruise itinerary appears to be prohibitive, as a result.  Expensive South African port costs, said to be amongst the highest in the world, do not help this country’s tourism cause, and are another deterrent. 

Cruise tourism is a vital injection to tourism income, and the authorities are encouraged to address the quality of the port facilities in Durban and Cape Town, to attract more cruise liners to our country, especially given the disposable income of the typical cruise liner tourist.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio:  www.whalecottage.com  Twitter: @WhaleCottage