Joburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) appeals to residents to comply with the emergency mitigation measures adopted in Level 3. These measures came into effect on 1 June and were implemented against Covid-19.
Spokesperson for the JCPZ, Jenny Moodley said the Joburg Zoo, nature reserves, all public parks and corridors along water bodies in the city remain temporarily closed. “This includes facilities that are un-fenced or that do not have signposts alerting residents to the closure. All JCPZs facilities may not be accessed for gatherings or for individual exercising or for the installation of tombstones in cemeteries,” Moodley said.
She added that residents are, however, allowed to jog or walk in their respective neighbourhoods between 6am and 6pm. These protocols are in place to protect the well-being of residents and safeguard families.
Moodley continued, “Emergency and critical services including general operations at the Joburg Zoo; funerals in cemeteries and the crematoriums; and the removal of uprooted trees and fallen branches, have continued uninterrupted. A core team, that are compliant with safety protocols have also been focusing on horticultural services to ensure that flagship parks, key developed parks and main arterial entrances are cut and cleaned.”
The spokesperson added that Joburg Zoo staff remain committed to the welfare of animals in their care and a 24-hour team is on standby as well, to swiftly remove fallen trees obstructing main arterials.
The MMC for Community Development in the City of Joburg, councillor Margaret Arnolds appealed to avid park users to comply with the temporary lockdown measures in Level 3 as Joburg remains a hotspot due to the surge in the number of Covid-19 infections.
Arnolds stated, “The concern for the City is the increased trajectory of infections in developed suburbs and the potential of a resurgence in both formal and informal areas. Unfortunately, some residents are refusing to comply with safety protocols and are compromising the health of others by gathering in public spaces or visiting parks and nature reserves. The implications of an increase in the number of infections will place undue pressure on the City’s health services and its cemeteries and crematoria.”
Arnolds appealed to residents to comply by staying at home where possible; keeping spaces clean; adopting safe distancing; wearing a mask and washing our hands regularly.
Residents requiring a City Parks or Zoo service may contact the entity on JCPZ’s digital platforms on jhbcityparks.com or on Twitter @JoburgParksZoo or on Facebook on JoburgParks or JoburgZoo.
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