City to re-open certain public ablution facilities
29 April 2020
Following numerous requests from various Non-Governmental Organisations and public interest groups to open public ablution facilities during the COVID-19 lockdown period, the City’s Recreation and Parks Department has decided to re-open 19 strategically positioned ablution facilities across the metropole. This will be done in close cooperation and consultation with the City’s Health and Social Development Departments.
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department initially received requests for the opening of nine ablution facilities but decided, after careful consideration to extend the re-opening to other areas in the City of Cape Town. All public open places, parks and beaches remain closed as per COVID-19 regulations.
The intention to re-open some of these facilities is to assist homeless people in providing a much needed facility. The decision was taken within the parameters and strict guidelines of National COVID-19 regulations and in consultation with the Western Cape Provincial Government,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Zahid Badroodien.
Below a list of ablution facilities that will re-open:
| Area North | Area Central | Area South |
| Eikendal Public Toilet | Bellville Public Toilet (located at Shoprite/SARS) | Simonstown Public Toilet (also known as Long Beach) |
| Kensington Public Toilet | | Fish Hoek Beach Public Toilet |
| Observatory Public Toilet | | Kalk Bay Public Toilet (also known as Night Shelter Public Toilet) |
| Lagoon Beach Public Toilet | | Muizenberg Pavilion Public Toilet |
| Melkbosstrand Public Toilet | | Newlands Public Toilet (Main Road, near the Water Distribution Point) |
| Witsands Beach Public Toilet | | |
| Aberdene Public Toilet | | |
| Camps Bay Tidal Pool Public Toilet | | |
| Green Market Street Public Toilet | | |
| Maidens Cove Upper Public Toilet | | |
| Milton Beach Public Toilet | | |
| Thibault Square Public Toilet | | |
| Three Anchor Bay Public Toilet | | |
The City’s Recreation and Parks Department will manage these facilities in line with the COVID-19 National Public Hygiene Strategy and Implementation Plan. The service providers contracted to maintain the facilities have confirmed that they are able to perform all of the necessary functions to keep the toilets clean and to implement strict hygiene standards at all times. Hygiene standards include:
Routine environmental cleaning as an essential part of disinfection. Removal of germs such as the virus that causes COVID-19 requires thorough cleaning followed by disinfection. Frequently touched surfaces are a high-risk for cross-transmission by pathogens that are transferred from people’s hands. Items such as door handles, taps, toilets, wash hand basins and railings are frequently touched in public places and should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.
Disinfectants must be used for reducing microbial contamination on surfaces, in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines and instructions. Surface disinfectants should be sprayed directly onto surfaces and left to dry. Alternatively, a 0.05% chlorine solution can be applied.
Staff must be trained on the correct use of disinfectants and should be provided with personal protective equipment when using disinfectants. Gloves should be worn when handling and preparing bleach solutions. Disinfectant solution should be made up daily and used mainly on hard, nonporous surfaces.
In addition to the above measures, posters and pamphlets will be made available to raise awareness on the prevention of COVID-19 and the symptoms associated with the disease as well as steps to follow to get support and treatment, if necessary. Environmental Health Practitioners will monitor conditions at the ablution facilities and will report any unhygienic conditions found during such inspections.
‘The City will monitor these facilities to ensure that hygiene standards are adhered to at all times so that we can, together with NGO’s, City Improvement Districts and provincial government, provide a service during these challenging times,’ added Councillor Badroodien.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
