SANParks welcomed the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions on inter-provincial travel and had introduced stringent hygiene protocols in an effort to curb the risk of the spread of the virus in national parks.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Saturday night that South Africa will move to Covid-19 lockdown level 2 as of midnight on Monday. This includes lifting the ban on inter-provincial travel for leisure purposes, as well as the ban on the sale of alcohol and tobacco products.

In a statement on Sunday, SANParks chief executive officer Fundisile Mketeni said that in line with government protocols and regulations, and in the interests of the health and safety of visitors and staff, SANParks would introduce new visitor management procedures to manage visitor volumes in the parks.

SANParks overnight accommodation opened for intra-provincial guests on August 14 in most of its parks, and therefore the facilities were already well equipped to welcome inter-provincial guests, Mketeni said.

However, he cautioned that new government regulations, as well as SANParks protocols, were likely to result in restrictions on overnight accommodation occupancy, and therefore the public was encouraged to book in advance. Walk-in bookings at parks would be permitted.

“While we understand the frustration that this will cause to those who are impatient to spend time in nature, it is important for all to appreciate the intent behind this decision,” Mketeni said.

Further information for overnight accommodation protocols will be available on www.sanparks.org as regulations are clarified, the statement said.

African News Agency