{"id":204970,"date":"2020-04-09T11:59:38","date_gmt":"2020-04-09T09:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/?p=204970"},"modified":"2020-04-09T16:09:47","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T14:09:47","slug":"corona-virus-communication-circus-in-finding-information-about-regulations-for-foreign-tourists-not-quarantining-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog\/cape-town\/corona-virus-communication-circus-in-finding-information-about-regulations-for-foreign-tourists-not-quarantining-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Corona Virus: Communication Circus in finding information about regulations for foreign Tourists not quarantining in South Africa!"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"I have tried to enquire about an Argentinian couple which could not return to its home country when our Lockdown was announced at short notice, living in the block of flats I live in, arriving as tourists two days before Lockdown (25 March). They did not go into quarantine as soon as they arrived in the building, but rather went\u00a0Sightseeing and Shopping on the two days prior to the Lockdown. They also moved apartments inside our block during Lockdown. I contacted more than ten COVID-19 and other government-related agencies, and reached a dead-end, with no one knowing how to do deal with this couple. <\/p>\n

I had written to the owner of the EbbTide apartment 101, Rhode Snyman, in which the couple lived initially, and was rudely fobbed off by her when I asked her about the clients not being in quarantine, by saying that the clients did not show any symptoms of the Corona Virus, reflecting her ignorance of this deadly disease, in that one can carry the Virus and only show symptoms of it a few days later! As far as I am concerned, the regulations state that foreign tourists stuck in our country are only allowed to stay in a hotel or guest house, neither of which accommodation categories include apartments in which locals live too. At no stage did the two apartment owners (the couple moved to apartment 202 during the Lockdown) accommodating this couple communicate with me to inform me that I would be sharing the building with a tourist couple which can barely speak English, nor information about their Corona Virus status. In one interaction with the couple, they appeared to have no idea about the Corona Virus etiquette regarding social distancing, seeming to be enjoying their holiday in captivity, with champagne corks popping and noisy calls with their Buenos Aires friends!<\/p>\n

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My journey in trying to enquire about the legality of the couple living in the apartments block, not having been in quarantine immediately on arrival in the building, and in changing apartments during Lockdown, has been as follows:<\/p>\n

1. I called the Corona Virus hotline at 0800029999, and was told to call the National 10111 police hotline.<\/p>\n

2. \u00a0The police hotline took the details, and said that the police in Camps Bay would be informed. I heard nothing from them.<\/p>\n

3. \u00a0On a next shopping day, when I had to walk past the Camps Bay police station, I spoke to a police officer. He was not sure of the regulations, and referred me to the Detective office at the police station.<\/p>\n

4. \u00a0The detective I spoke to at the Camps Bay Police station appeared to understand, and promised to visit the couple. He arrived two hours later, and I let him into the building. I heard nothing further from him, and I had to call him to find out what the outcome was. He said that they were in Lockdown, and were allowed to go shopping. It was clear that he had no understanding about the special regulations regarding foreigners, quarantine, and the accommodation thereof.<\/p>\n

5. \u00a0I wrote to Councillor Nicola Jowell, and she gave me the cell number of the Acting Station Commander in Camps Bay, Warrant Officer Fortuin.<\/p>\n

6. \u00a0I called Warrant Officer Fortuin, but she was at home. She asked me to send her an email to the Camps Bay police station, and then she would ask her Station commander for advice. That was a week ago and I have not heard a word from her since sending my Email.<\/p>\n

7. \u00a0I was advised by a resident of another block of apartments to call the Corona Hotline 0800029999, so did so once again, hoping that the staff manning the Hotline would be better informed by now. I was told by the hotline to call 0800014880.<\/p>\n

8. \u00a0The number 0800014880 turned out to be that of the National Consumer Commission, which one calls for complaints about excessive price increases for scarce products during the Corona Virus Lockdown! \u00a0They advised me to call the Western Cape Department of Health at 0860142142<\/p>\n

9. \u00a0The Western Cape Department of Health referred me to the Western Cape Government at 021 928-4102.<\/p>\n

10. \u00a0The Western Cape Government referred me to the Department of Tourism at 086086874.<\/p>\n

11. \u00a0The Department of Tourism referred me to the Department of Health Crisis Line 0861322322<\/p>\n

12. The Department of Health Crisis Line suggested I call the nearest clinic, asking where I live. She had clearly never heard of Camps Bay, as she referred me to the Gordon’s Bay Clinic at 021 444-9315.<\/p>\n

13. \u00a0The Gordon’s Bay Clinic referred me to the number they were given for all Corona Virus enquiries, being 044 814-1553.<\/p>\n

14. \u00a0The number I was given turned out to be for the Helderberg Hospital in Somerset West, and a knowledgeable medical doctor answered my call, the first person understanding my query, but being honest in saying that she had no clue.<\/p>\n

15. \u00a0I saw the name of Alderman James Vos, responsible for Tourism in our city, and sent him an email with my query. He responded almost immediately, and referred me to a website www.supportbusiness.co.za. I clicked the Travel button, for all issues relating to Travel and Tourism. I found information about The Central Traveller Registry, in which all international tourists in our country must be registered, and an email address accommodation@southafrica.net.<\/p>\n

16. I wrote to the SA Tourism email address, and am waiting to hear from them.<\/p>\n

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While my health depends on it, in having a potential Corona Virus risk in my very small 4-apartment block, I am close to giving up. The Corona Communication Circus which I have been through so far has been frustrating, and reflects the cracks in the government\u2019s handling of the pandemic in our country, and its ability, or lack of, of communication with all relevant parties about the regulations which have been promulgated prior to and since the Lockdown.<\/p>\n

I would be grateful if any reader has alternative suggestions for whom to contact: chrisvonulmenstein@gmail.com<\/b><\/p>\n

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Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  I have tried to enquire about an Argentinian couple which could not return to its home country when our Lockdown was announced at short notice, living in the block of flats I live in, arriving as tourists two days before Lockdown (25 March). They did not go into quarantine as soon as they arrived […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false},"categories":[7,38611,38493,15,3,124,37850,39790,22,32565],"tags":[39874,32370,31254,32366,32378,257,39708,39709,8460,1577,37721,39791,38852,39873,3141,1528],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t