swimming pools | WhaleTales Blog by Chris von Ulmenstein

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

One of the worst weather periods has co-incided with the Festive Season in Cape Town and the Western Cape, leaving many visitors disappointed with the weather, and the effect it has had on their holidays, especially for those that have travelled from far.

The South-Easter battered Cape Town in December, and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company has reported that the largest number of Cableway closures was experienced last month by far, and that the Cableway was only able to operate for 55% of its potential operating hours in December, reports the Cape Argus. In the festive season week, the Cableway lost 25000 visitors due to the gale force winds and resultant restricted visibility. The wind blew at a speed of over 100 km/hour in Camps Bay and in many parts of Cape Town, leading guests to check out of accommodation establishments early, as happened at Whale Cottage Camps Bay, and at other establishments. No sooner had the wind died down, two days of rain followed on the first two days of 2011.

Inland areas, as well as towns such as Hermanus and those on the Garden Route, were overcast and experienced rain while the South-Easter was pumping in Cape Town.

Not only did the wind and rain affect the holiday plans of tourists, but the weather also played havoc with swimming pools of accommodation establishments, which were filled with sand daily, and which were difficult to keep blue. The wonderful Camps Bay beach, as well as many others, were a no-go zone on South-Easter days, ‘sandblasting’ beachgoers. Few beaches in Cape Town are South-Easter proof, Clifton being the most protected against the wind.

Despite the wind and rain, the weather was better than tourists would have experienced in the UK, USA and in Europe, with extremely low temperatures and snow storms in the past two weeks.

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