SANParks announces changes to hospitality and tourism services for lockdown adjusted level 4
Following the announcement made on Sunday June 27 by President Cyril Ramaphosa that the country will move to adjusted level 4 with effect from Monday June 28 and the subsequent gazetting of the amended regulations, SANParks informed guests of key changes to its hospitality and tourism services in its national parks.
After having announced changes to its reservations policy for the period between June 28 and July 11 on Tuesday, SANParks received new information regarding an amendment to the regulations for accommodation facilities’ capacity.
Due to the amended regulations permitting 100% occupancy at accommodation establishments, SANParks is again taking accommodation bookings for the period June 30 to July 11.
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Seeing as Gauteng residents are not allowed to travel out of their province for leisure purposes, though, parkgoers from this province will not be allowed into parks during this time.
SANParks’ acting chief executive officer, Dr Luthando Dziba, said,“SANParks, in complying with government regulations, has made amendments particularly for travellers to our national parks from Gauteng.”
The rules for clients from Gauteng with existing reservations are as follows:
- There will not be a blanket cancellation of bookings for guests residing in Gauteng. Instead, those holding current reservations valid for the period June 28 to July 11 will be contacted directly via telephone and email to establish whether their bookings should be postponed or cancelled.
- Guests are encouraged to contact reservations on 012 428 9111 or 082 233 9111 or email reservations@sanparks.org if they are unsure about their current reservation.
- Where cancellation is the only option, cancellation fees will not be charged and clients will be provided with the option to claim a full refund or for their deposit to be kept on credit-on-hold for use on future reservations.
- Gauteng residents currently in occupation of SANParks accommodation facilities will be permitted to remain in the parks for the duration of their reserved stay as the regulations permit a once-off trip to return to their places of residence to persons who were outside the province when the regulations came into force.
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Persons from any other provinces will still be permitted to enter the parks if they have an existing booking.
Speaking for the Kruger National Park, Isaac Phaahla said that guests travelling through Gauteng to get to the park will be allowed entry.
As far as the rest of the country’s SANParks are concerned, all gatherings at beaches and picnic sites within the national parks are prohibited.
The dining facilities and restaurants within the national parks will operate on the basis of off-site consumption and therefore no sit-down dining will be allowed.
Dziba said that while SANParks understands the inconvenience and the frustration this may create, reservations and park teams on the ground are on hand to assist in adherence to the law.
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Dziba concluded and said the spread of Covid-19 has affected all South Africans and in order to minimise the spread everyone has to make sacrifices.
He urged guests to the national parks to appreciate that the regulations and SANParks’ protocols, as inconvenient as they may seem, are towards a greater and common good.
