Municipality opens public spaces for exercise

ETHEKWINI Municipality opened public amenities to allow people to utilise these facilities to keep fit and healthy by walking and exercising last week.

The municipality’s parks, recreation and culture announced that the public will be allowed to have access to public spaces from Monday, 27 July, only for healthy lifestyle exercises, including walking, running, cycling, yoga, etc. which are permitted under lockdown regulations.

Any other form of social gathering remains strictly prohibited. The open spaces that will open are parks, botanical gardens, and nature reserves and sports grounds.

Deputy Head, Sibusiso Mkhwanazi, said the municipality is mindful of the increasing number of the Covid-19 infections, thus will ensure that strict precautions are implemented as people use the facilities.
“The lives of our residents are a priority to us, therefore access to these places will be limited to avoid overcrowding and the maximum number of people in a group allowed is 10. This is to ensure that, while residents are enjoying themselves, they are also vigilant at the same time,” said Mkhwanazi.

As the world deals with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the municipality’s open spaces have been affected with some parks not being maintained as usual because the department is operating with limited staff members.
Mkhwanazi said a single entrance will be used to enter the nature reserves and botanical garden. Screening procedure for Covid-19 and temperature checks will be mandatory for all residents wishing to enter the facilities.

Residents are urged to avoid going to these facilities if they feel unwell or have flu like symptoms and avoid parks that have a lot of people by staying at home. Park users are urged to carry their personal sanitisers and to refrain from sitting on the benches, utilising the gym-equipment and ablution facilities.

We strongly encourage the public to make use of the refuse bins provided in these facilities. Parks are only open during the regulated hours and it should be noted that there will be no public ablutions available at this stage,” said Mkhwanazi.

Ward 64 Councillor, Gavin Hegter, welcomed this decision.”I believe that the opening of our parks is overdue. The DA has made its position clear that many of the National State of Disaster regulations are irrational.

“This was confirmed by the North Gauteng High Court. It is common knowledge that staying fit and healthy is the first step in fighting off illness. The closure of our recreational areas like the parks and beaches can only be described as illogical. I do, however, want to urge our residents to be responsible and take all the necessary precautions to protect yourself when using these facilities,” he said.

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