The magnificent Lion’s Head forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. Image via flickr
Lions Head closed due to ‘non-compliance’ of Level 3 regulations
SANParks announced on Saturday that Lions Head would be closed with immediate effect, until further notice.
The magnificent Lion’s Head forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. Image via flickr
SANParks, on Saturday 6 June, announced that Lions Head in Cape Town would be closed with immediate effect due to non-compliance in accordance with the Level 3 lockdown regulations.
Although SANParks has acted on the violation quite quickly, it did not specify as to how the Level 3 lockdown regulations were breached.
Lions Head has been open for less than a week.
LIONS HEAD CLOSED DUE TO NON-COMPLIANCE OF LOCKDOWN REGULATIONS
On Saturday, SANParks took to Twitter saying that the Lions Head section of Table Mountain would be closed until further notice due to non-compliance.
“Table Mountain National Park management has made the decision to close the Lions Head section of Table Mountain with immediate effect, until further notice.”
“Due to the nature of the trail, recreational activities are no longer permitted in these areas due to non-compliance by users in accordance to the Alert Level 3 regulations of the nationwide Lockdown,” it added.
When asked if it includes the trails around Signal Hill, SANParks said it would remain open.
A SHORT-LIVED WELCOME
Not even a week ago, on 1 June, the Table Mountain National Park announced that it would be open for visitors under Level 3.
“Hey visitors, we welcome you back to your beloved Table Mountain National Park. We know it must have been challenging but it is a pleasure to have you back,” it said.
It said that although the majority of the park would be open, the following areas within the park would remain closed under alert level 3 of the nationwide lockdown: Boulders Beach, Cape Point, Silvermine Gate 1 and 2, Upper Tokai and all picnic sites.
“Please ensure that you wear your face masks and maintain a social distance of at least 1.5m when undertaking recreational activities. As per alert level 3 lockdown regulations, you are permitted to exercise between 06:00 and 18:00,” it said.
“Table Mountain management humbly request adhere to this very important lockdown regulation. No overnight hiking will be permitted in the park,” it added.
Now, just six days later, Lions Head has been closed due to a breach in lockdown regulations.
According to government directives, all individuals who are hiking, or are out in public in general, must adhere to the regulations of wearing a face mask.
Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued new directives regarding face masks. He said that masks now should consist of at least three layers of different material.
