Everything holidaymakers need to know for Durban’s festive season
Find out about bathing times, services, and perks such as the free Park and Ride system.
WITH thousands of holidaymakers expected to visit Durban over the festive period, the eThekwini Municipality is pulling out all the stops to make safety a priority.
“The city’s law enforcement officials and lifeguards have undergone intensive training to ensure that they are ready for any eventuality,” said the City.
The municipality deployed around 65 beach guides, an additional 120 lifeguards and more than 2 000 Metro Police officers, who will be out in full force. SAPS members will support Metro Police.
Also read: Zikalala calls on holidaymakers to remain safe
“The city has also procured the services of private security personnel to beef up security. Beach Law Enforcement Officers will conduct regular patrols at all beaches,” said the City.
Alcohol is strictly prohibited at the beachfront.
Child safety
To safeguard children, the City has made 200 000 wristbands available. These will be worn by all children visiting beaches, to make it easy to identify them and to reunite them with family if they are separated.
“In the event that children are separated from their guardians, 38 child-minders are on standby to look after them until they are reunited family members,” said the City.
Ablution facilities
Toilets and ablution facilities will be open from 06:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Thursday. During the weekend and on public holidays, services will be available from 06:00 to 22:00. A 24-hour service will be provided at selected beaches, including Point, Addington and South beaches, as well as the Bay of Plenty.
Bathing and fishing
Bathing at all bathing beaches will be allowed from 06:00 and 18:30, daily. The City has opened 35 public swimming pools. These will be operational from 06:00 to 17:h00. Following the UPL chemical spillage, fishing north of the Umngeni River is prohibited.
Also read: City reveals operational plans ahead of festive season
Refuse removal and traffic control
The Durban Solid Waste (DSW) Unit has appointed 135 additional staff to work 16 hours a day to keep up with the demand for cleaning services. Access to certain roads will be controlled via boom gates. To ease traffic congestion, a Park and Ride facility will be available at no cost to the public at the old drive-in site.
Covid-19
Visitors are urged to be vigilant and to observe all Covid-19 safety protocols, including washing hands regularly, maintaining social distance and wearing masks.
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