City will rigorously enforce amended COVID-19 regulations

15 December 2020

Following on from the President’s latest address to the nation, the City of Cape Town’s enforcement services will extend their efforts to ensure compliance and containing a second wave of COVID-19 infections.

The City of Cape Town notes and supports the latest announcements made by the President in respect of South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
‘A key aspect of the address called for stricter enforcement of existing Alert Level 1 restrictions, particularly over the festive season, to contain the second wave of infections currently being experienced in a number of provinces and local districts, including Cape Town.

The Mother City has been given a reprieve by not being declared a hotspot area, and the City will do everything possible to ensure compliance with the restrictions, as well as the amended restrictions that have been announced. While our beaches remain open, it is up to our residents to conduct themselves responsibly as the national government will not hesitate to close our beaches too should they see non-compliance,’ said Executive Mayor, Alderman Dan Plato.

The amended regulations include a new curfew between 23:00 and 04:00, further restrictions on the number of persons attending gatherings as well as alcohol sales, amongst others.
 

‘The City will alter its festive season preparedness plan to factor in the amended regulations. However, we also want to appeal to the public to abide by the rules or face the consequences. Our staff will be out and about, in partnership with the South African Police Service, to monitor for compliance and issue fines in respect of the regulations where warranted.

‘I joined one of the operations in Bellville last night. While several of the venues were making some effort to comply with the regulations, notices were issued to others for not displaying warning signage, not having COVID screening in place and for patrons not wearing masks,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
 
A concern is that the limitations on the sale of alcohol will fuel illegal trade.
 
‘We have indicated time and again how pivotal alcohol abuse is in placing an additional strain on our enforcement resources, but also our healthcare system at a time when we can ill afford it. The City therefore calls on the public to blow the whistle on the illegal sale of alcohol. We will invoke our informant reward system for information that leads to arrests and successful prosecutions. Also, where establishments are selling liquor in contravention of the regulations, the City will apply to the Liquor Regulatory Authority to suspend or withdraw the liquor license of the establishments,’ added Alderman Smith.
 

Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office