The Johannesburg City Parks and Zoos (JCPZ) would like to assure residents that all parks will be opened by Wednesday (15 July) allowing the public to exercise in close proximity to their homes.
Nature reserves, including The Wilds, Kloofendal and Klipriversberg nature reserves and the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens will be opened from 1 August, to allow for a phased-in approach, due to limited resources.
JCPZ has been affected by a number of Covid-19 infections which resulted in the temporary closure of various depots.
“This delayed opening of conservation areas and nature reserves is due to scarce resources and the need for employees to be issued with proper personnel protection,” said Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Joburg Margaret Arnolds.
Arnolds encourages residents to always keep the regulations of the lockdown in mind to help curb the spread of the virus.
“Common sense must prevail. If you are feeling unwell; self-isolating or if too many park-users, then protect your loved ones by staying safely at home,” she urged.
Park users are urged to be cautious and vigilant at all times by adhering to the following 10 mandatory requirements:
- Wear a mask in public spaces at all times.
- Practice social distancing of a minimum of 3metres apart.
- Events or gatherings are restricted.
- Ensure that hands are washed and sanitized prior to entering a city parks facility.
- Exercise only with persons within your household which is limited to a maximum of 5 people in a group.
- Refrain from using the ablution facilities and the playgrounds.
- Remind children that the use of the gym and play-equipment is restricted.
- Take all disposables home, including empty bottles and paper cups.
- Leave all valuables at home to avoid opportunistic crime.
- Abide by the public opens spaces bylaws in place.
Park-users are urged to carry their personnel sanitizer and refrain from sitting on the benches, utilizing the gym-equipment and ablution facilities or depositing refuse in the bins.
The Friends of Sandspruit who take care of Ernest Ullman Park in and the Sandspruit River in Sandton would like to assure the community that the park is ready and waiting.
Thanks to the donations from the community, the group has been able to maintain the park’s environment.
“Since the change to level 3 our team has been allowed back and they have been busy cutting, clearing and trimming in Ernest Ullmann Park and along the Sandspruit River banks,” said chairperson Alex Parkins.
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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/232615/friends-of-sandspruit-show-community-spirit-during-clean-up/
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/234553/friends-of-sandpruit-and-sandton-spca-collaborate-to-host-fundraising-dog-walk/
