CapeNature reserves adjust to Level 3 lockdown restrictions

by CapeNature

In line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech held on 28 December 2020 and stricter regulations issued on 29 December 2020 in the Government Gazette, the following adjusted restrictions and rules will apply to all CapeNature reserves with immediate effect and until further notice:

Permitted activities:

• Reserve accommodation remains OPEN and unchanged (this includes the Whale Trail and Whiskey Creek);
• Conference venues remain OPEN at 50 % capacity;
• All recreational swimming pools within nature reserves will remain OPEN to visitors (adhering to strict protocols). Signage and capacities are in place and checks are implemented);
• Hiking and mountain biking at controlled access points (capacities are in place and exceptions are listed as non-permitted activities below).

Non-Permitted activities and sites that have been closed by Management authority:

The following open access points pertaining to hiking trails will be CLOSED to the public:

Outeniqua Nature Reserve

• Pass-to-Pass
• Kouma

Limietberg Nature Reserve

• Bobbejaansrivier
• Happy Valley
• Rockhopper
• Kromrivier
• Elandsrivier
• Miaspoort

Cederberg Wilderness (Algeria)

• Skeurkrans

Cederberg Wilderness (Kliphuis)

• Amon Circle Route

Rooisand Nature Reserve

• Walking activity

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

• Genadendal
• Boesmanskloof

Goukamma Nature Reserve

• Blombos Trail
• Galjoen Trail
• Cape Clawless Otter Trail
• Buffalo Bay Trail

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

• Sleeping Beauty Trail

Swartberg Nature Reserve

• Ou Tol Circle Route
• Platberg Circle Route

Where access points at CapeNature reserves are used:

• Events will NOT be allowed until further notice;
• All picnic sites at Tweede Tol (Limietberg Nature Reserve) and Keurbooms Nature Reserve will be CLOSED to the public.

Fishing permitted and non-permitted activities

Recreational activities on beaches, dams, rivers and lakes are CLOSED to the public, except for fishermen who are in possession of a valid permit or exemption granted in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998 (Act no. 18 of 1998):

• Fishermen with the relevant valid permits will be allowed to fish on beaches and in the estuary mouth as included in the Act no. 19 of 1998.
• Anyone over the age of 12 must be in possession of a valid angling permit and rod.
• No fishing will be allowed up river (only the mouth section). Note that for Keurbooms River, only the demarcated 7 km inside the reserve will be accessible to fishermen as this forms part of the functional estuary.
• The hiring out of vessels (boats, canoes etc.) by businesses, for the purpose of fishing, where each person is in possession of a valid permit and a fishing rod, will be allowed. In such an instance, legal carrying capacities must be adhered to and all COVID-19 protocols such as social distancing, the wearing of face masks and sanitising, must be observed. The core function of the business hiring out the vessel must be fishing.
• The hiring out of vessels (boats, canoes etc.) by a business for any other activity will NOT be allowed.
• This includes businesses where the core function of the business is not fishing.

Opening and closing times

• Opening & closing times of reserves for day visitors are 09h00 and 18h00 respectively where access points at CapeNature reserves are used.
• Where access points at CapeNature reserves are used by fishermen, the times stipulated above will need to be adhered to at all times.

Protocol reminder

CapeNature would like to remind visitors of our 4-step process for day-visitors and 5-step process for overnight visitors. With the safety of visitors and staff remaining a top priority, all visitors entering a controlled CapeNature reserve entrance gate will be subjected to a screening process upon arrival. This will include the mandatory completion of a 4-step check-in process requiring 1) the compulsory sanitising of hands, 2) wearing of masks, 3) temperature checks, 4) completion of a quick “Visitor Access Register” and 5) compulsory completion of a “Visitor Screening Questionnaire” for all overnight visitors.

Published in In the media