On 6 August 2020, the South African Minister of Tourism published updated directions for the local tourism industry. The latest directives permit guided tour operators to resume certain activities under lockdown level three but require them to adhere to the following directions:

  • Guided tour operators are to keep a record of people taking part in the guided tour; and
  • The person managing the guided tour must, amongst others:
    • not allow a person on the tour if that person is not wearing a cloth mask, or item that covers the nose and mouth;
    • ensure that each person attending the tour wears a mask at all times except when eating or drinking;
    • sanitise persons attending the tour before they are allowed to enter a tour vehicle, rail or boat; and
    • ensure that during guided activities that require walking, a social distance of at least one and a half metres is maintained at all times between persons attending the tour.

In addition, the latest directives provide that hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, time-share facilities, resorts and guest houses must ensure that no more than two persons occupy a room, unless the occupants are “a nuclear family” where the term “nuclear family” has been defined to include “other family members or caregivers living in the same household”.

Originally published by ENSafrica, August 2020

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