lockdown

DJ Black Coffee at the Durban Vignette Exclusive Experience at Max’s Lifestyle on June 23, 2021 in Durban, South Africa. The vignette aims to promote Durban to international music lovers and tourists who want to explore the city, the township cuisine, and many activities on offer. Image: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images.

Lockdown level 4: Here’s the latest list of what’s still open for fun in Durban

There are still several recreational activities to enjoy in Durban under lockdown level four including surfing, hiking and visiting the zoo.

lockdown

DJ Black Coffee at the Durban Vignette Exclusive Experience at Max’s Lifestyle on June 23, 2021 in Durban, South Africa. The vignette aims to promote Durban to international music lovers and tourists who want to explore the city, the township cuisine, and many activities on offer. Image: Darren Stewart/Gallo Images via Getty Images.

eThekwini Municipality has announced the closure of certain public facilities and provided guidelines regarding the restricted access that will still be allowed to some parks and amenities during lockdown level four. 

The municipality’s announcement follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s address to the nation in which he announced that the country would move to lockdown alert level 4 on Monday 28 July.

Here’s what you can and cannot do in Durban for the next two weeks while the hard lockdown remains in place.

* All libraries, museums, art galleries, theatres and heritage sites are closed to the public. All books due will be extended until the end of July.

  • Botanic gardens and fenced parks: Only a maximum of 100 people will be allowed in at a time during lockdown level 4. No picnics, braais, photoshoots, group exercise, alcohol consumption or social gatherings will be permitted. Walking of pets, individual exercise, jogging, walking or trail biking (where applicable) is  permitted.
  • The uMngeni Bird Park and Mitchel Park Zoo will be open to allow a maximum of 100 people at a time. However, bird shows will not be operating under alert level 4. No groups, tours or school groups will be permitted.
  • Beaches will remain open for swimming. However, people will not be permitted to swim in groups. No alcohol consumption, picnics, or religious ceremonies will be permitted at beaches. No group surfing, training or running groups will be allowed on the beaches. Likewise, no group bookings for beach activities on the beach or the grassy areas will be permitted. Fishing is still permissible, but not in groups.
  • Nature reserves remain open for individual exercise and walking for enjoyment. However, group walks, bird hiking or trail riding will not be permitted. Likewise, no picnics or braais will be allowed. The maximum number of people allowed in reserves is 100.
  • Cemeteries are open to the public for funerals. However, the maximum number of persons allowed at any funeral is 50 as per the lockdown regulations. No after parties are allowed.
  • All swimming pools are closed until further notice.
  • All Indoor sport facilities are closed. Workshops, community sport meetings, sporting and recreational programmes are not permitted
  • Community halls are open for permissible functions, which are not considered a social gathering. No weddings, religious functions, like church services, or training is permissible. Funerals will be permissible, with a maximum of 50 people allowed in a hall.

Covid-19 protocols such as social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitisation must be adhered to in all the city’s public spaces during lockdown.