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The Health Department said the government would oppose the various court applications brought against the closure of beaches on the Garden Route.
Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, said in a statement that his department stands by the recommendations made by the National Coronavirus Command Council.
“As Health we stand by the recommendation made by the NCCC which are well substantiated by evidence. We have every intention to oppose these applications as the Department and government’s mandate to protect the lives and health of our people remain paramount.”
Minister Mkhize said, “We dare not neglect this responsibility by omitting to take the necessary actions to protect the health system from being overwhelmed and collapsing as we have seen in other countries.”
The Garden Route District Municipality has also appealed to the Government to reconsider the beach closures from 16 December to 3 January while the Civil Rights Organisation, Afriforum, indicated it would also turn to the courts to overturn the decision.
The Western Cape Finance Ministry said on Thursday that there is no doubt that the beach closures would deal a devastating blow to the economy of the district which is heavily reliant on tourism for survival.
“We are opposed to the closures of any of the Western Cape’s beaches, as was made clear in our consultations with national government Premier Alan Winde and the Garden Route District are challenging this decision,” said Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC, David Maynier.
He said the President’s decision fails to get the balance right between saving lives and livelihoods.
