Breaking: City of Cape Town announces closure of public facilities

To contain COVID-19 the City closes public swimming pools, camping sites, museums as well as two popular parks

Updated: 19 March 2020

BREAKING: PUBLIC PARKS IN THE CBD TO CLOSE

The City of Cape Town has just announced that the Company's Garden and Green Point Park will close until further notice. Both public parks are popular places for locals and tourists which has led the city to temporarily close the gates as outlined in their Twitter thread. 

1. As part of its COVID-19 mitigation measures, the City of Cape Town has decided to temporarily close the Green Point Park as well as the Company’s Garden in the Central Business District. #CoronavirusInSA pic.twitter.com/C4z6gu6zsU

— City of Cape Town (@CityofCT) March 19, 2020

OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES IN CAPE TOWN HAVE ALSO BEEN CLOSED

On 18 March 2020, the City of Cape Town announced that public facilties will be closed with immediate effect. Their full statment is below: 

STATEMENT BY THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR OF CAPE TOWN, ALDERMAN DAN PLATO

City to close facilities to contain spread of COVID-19, encourages use of online services where possible 

The City of Cape Town has noted the key containment and mitigation measures that are being implemented across the world and in South Africa in an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19. We have taken note of best practice from other affected countries and the success they have found in social distancing and improved hygiene practices.

As such, the City has decided to close the below City facilities from Wednesday, 18 March 2020. We will continuously assess the situation and will inform the public accordingly. 

Facilities to close include:

• Swimming pools
• Camping sites
• Museums
• Art centres
• Community halls/Civic centres
• Recreational hubs
• Stadia
• Spray parks
• Resorts
• Braai and picnic spots
• City sports fields
• Nature reserves

Furthermore, visits by the City’s Mobile Office have been suspended until further notice.

Library operating hours (including mobile services) will be reduced incrementally and these facilities will provide only basic services, namely, taking out and returning reading material. The number of persons allowed into the library will be controlled. Needless to say, this might change at short notice. 

Cemeteries will remain open, although residents are advised upon making bookings to be mindful of the number of persons at the graveside during burial, and to please stick to their allotted times. The Recreation and Parks Department is working to keep gravesites as far apart as possible to limit contact between mourners during burial.

The City also reminds the public that an announcement was made by the National Minister of Social Development that all Early Childhood Development Centres will close on Wednesday, 18 March 2020, in line with the schools.

The City realises that, due to the closure of sporting facilities, there will be an impact on community sporting culture and especially on the municipal facility management committees (MFMCs) who work with the City on the management and maintenance of the facilities. We plead for their understanding and request the support of MFMCs to ensure that all non-essential contact is avoided and that social distancing is strictly enforced.

Please note all public meetings and non-critical meetings, gatherings and site visits will also be postponed indefinitely unless an emergency meeting is called which we will communicate on. The situation is being assessed on a daily basis and is subject to frequent and rapid change. 

Note that offices that provide City services like cash offices, Driving Licence Testing Centres and housing and planning offices will remain open for now.

Residents are advised that all events at the City’s nature reserves have been cancelled and staff are currently working on refunding affected stakeholders, we will provide a full refund for any bookings and also permits to Steenbras Gorge.

ACCOUNTS, MOTOR VEHICLE LICENCES

The City encourages account holders to make use of the City’s online service offerings, where it is possible to do so, rather than visiting City customer centres for over the counter transactions. Customer offices will remain open, however, strong precautions will be taken to ensure a heightened level of hygiene and customers are encouraged to rather conduct their business online or via telephone than over the counter if possible. The number of people going to the offices must be limited to limit the spread of COVID-19. Details on precautionary measures will be communicated as soon as possible. 

Customers are reminded that accounts still need to be paid. 

For account payments

• The City encourages account holders to use the City’s online e-services portal to pay their accounts
• Other payment options available to account holders include paying online using their bank’s website or via ATM, at Nedbank.
• The City is already listed as a beneficiary with all major banks, so account holders do not need to load bank details when paying online. Account holders can also register with www.paycity.co.za or www.easypay.co.za to pay accounts
• To pay via ATM, account holders can simply contact their bank to add the City as an ATM beneficiary

For account enquiries

If account holders have any questions related to their account, they can please call 0860 103 089 for more information. Account holders should keep the reference number they’re provided with to track the progress of their query.

For motor vehicle renewals

The City’s Motor Vehicle Renewal which include motor vehicle licence renewals, vehicle registrations and licence payments can be done online. An online licence application takes approximately 14 days from the date of application to receiving it in the post, so residents must please bear this in mind and act in a timeous fashion. Residents who would like to go this route can do so via the City’s online services portal.

Residents are reminded to take along their proof of address when renewing their motor vehicle licences. This must be done annually as per National Government requirements. It is very important for customers to have all of the required documentation with them when they apply for licence disc renewals to prevent any additional delays.

For driving licenses

• Driving License Testing Centres remain open; however, strong precautions have already been instituted to ensure a heightened level of hygiene. 
• All eye testing equipment is sanitised after each user.
• Staff have been issued hand sanitiser, and gloves and masks are on order. Additional sanitation of all work surfaces has been implemented. 
• The number of occupants have  been limited as per the queuing system.
• Notices have gone up at all DLTCs, advising the public of precautions to take to promote good hygiene and limit the spread of the virus.

For traffic fines

You can pay your fine online via:

• Paycity
  
• You can also pay your fine using online banking. Please contact your bank directly for assistance or advice.
• Fine payments can also be made through ATMs. Contact your bank directly for assistance, or visit the bank’s website for more information.

The following can be done via e-Services:  

• e-Billing
• Careers
• Informal trader bay applications
• Land use and building plan applications (DAMS)
• Motor vehicle licence renewals
• Municipal accounts
• Pet registration
• Report a fault or request a service
• Supplier self-service
• Identity documents uploads
• Company registration documents
• Tax clearance certificates
• Bank statements upload
• Affidavit uploads
• Conveyancing
• Indigent applications

We know that this will prove inconvenient for some of our residents. But in the interest of containing this highly contagious virus and for the protection of all our residents, we trust our residents will understand the need for these measures.

Numerous resources have been made available to the public regarding COVID-19. These include:

• The NICD Hotline on 0800 029 999 operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day
• The Western Cape Provincial Government Hotline on 021 928 4102
• https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• https://www.westerncape.gov.za/dept/health
• www.nicd.ac.za
• WhatsApp:  0600 123 456

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 Get the latest updates on the coronavirus in Cape Town.

Find out how the coronavirus is affecting air travel and public transport.

Make the most of your weekend at home with our list of things to do. 

The city is having a hard time, but people and businesses have come toegther in some beautiful ways. Read about these moments of joy. 
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STAY UP TO DATE ON ALL THINGS CORONAVIRUS-RELATED
The situation is ever-changing and our team is committed to bringing you all the latest updates on COVID-19 in Cape Town. Find out which places have closed and get notified when they reopen. Keep tabs on the governmental restrictions in place. And treat yourself to some moments of joy we have found during these challenging times. The City of Cape Town has also closed all beaches until further notice. Find out all you need to know about the novel coronavirus.

YOU CAN STILL LIVE A LITTLE
You might have cancelled many plans, but there’s still plenty to do to keep yourself entertained this weekend. Use this social distancing period to work on your cooking skills with our homely, classic Cape Town recipes. The outdoors are great for your mind and body when you’ve been isolating just a little too long: keep your immune system healthy by going for a quick walk or dip at one of our favourite off-the-radar beaches. 

SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES
Maybe your livelihood is unaffected, but not everyone is so lucky. With trading restrictions, social distancing, and event cancellations, many small local businesses are taking a huge hit. Order takeouts, buy online, donate, and try not to cancel any payments you can afford. The economy is under strain, but together we can keep many people afloat. Find out how you can support local businesses. Need supplies? Check out these places that deliver during lockdown.

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