DURBAN – The eThekwini municipality recently announced that the Durban beachfront promenade would remain closed during level 4 of the national lockdown. After the 8 am announcement, on Saturday, May 2, the municipality issued another statement saying the promenade will be open to the public from May 3 between 6 am and 9 am.
With the current concerns about the eThekwini municipality being the epicentre for the Covid-19 virus in KwaZulu Natal, the municipality is taking measures to ensure the safety of those using the promenade.
One of the measures is that the promenade will undergo a sanitisation process.
In the initial statement, eThekwini Municipality’s Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda said: "We are not going to take any chances. Everyone needs to be mindful of the fact that the city is the epicentre of this pandemic. We are going to embark on a deep cleaning and sanitising operation of the entire facility before we open it to the public. We are appealing to our residents to bear with us and we apologise for the inconvenience. Yes, residents have been yearning for jogging and cycling on the promenade but we cannot dice with their lives."
However, in the latest statement, eThekwini Municipality's Acting Head of the Communications Mandla Nsele said only residents residing within the 5km radius are allowed to use the facility from 6am - 9am.
"Law enforcement will unwaveringly monitor all activities allowed under level 4 and will not hesitate to deal with non-compliant members. Residents are encouraged to comply unceasingly with regulations of level 4 of South Africa’s Covid-19 lock-down, by among others wearing masks and practice social distancing".