Restrictions banning leisure travel gazetted

Government’s regulations banning overnight stays at tourism accommodation for leisure purposes have been confirmed in the Government Gazette.

This follows much confusion in the tourism industry over the past weeks. The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) initially said the sector followed the Government Gazette published on Thursday, June 25 that stated that accredited accommodation establishments were allowed to reopen.

Government then confirmed this on July 11, releasing a statement on social media saying that leisure travel within a province is allowed. One day later, government backtracked and said this was an error, and that overnight stays for leisure purposes are not allowed.

The gazette, updated on July 12, states that the following institutions are excluded from permitted economic activities: Hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, timeshare facilities and resorts and guest houses for leisure purposes, as well as short term home -sharing /letting /leasing /rental.

The TBCSA said it is now ‘reviewing its options’ and will keep members updated as to the next steps, according to Tourism Update.

Shadow Minister of Tourism, Manny de Freitas lashed out against the Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane. ‘Again, the Minister demonstrates that she is herself a tourist of her portfolio. She simply does not understand the sector or even business in general and is now resorting to making up ‘facts’ to justify her incompetence as hundreds of thousands of South Africans continue to lose their jobs,’ De Freitas told Tourism Update.