May 30 2022
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Covid-19 > Alert Level 3 Regulations 2021

By Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay Beach  iSimangaliso’s Reaction to Adjusted Alert Level 3 Regulations The second wave of the COVID-19 virus has engulfed most parts of South Africa, and numbers are surging day by day. The government has declared some parts of the country as hotspot districts due to the high numbers of infections in those areas. iSimangaliso Wetland Park falls within Umkhanyakude District, which has not been declared as a hotspot, and as such the following conditions will apply in accordance with clause 36.10 (a), (b) and 12 of the regulations: 1. iSimangaliso Wetland Park will remain open to the public. 2. Monitoring for compliance with all health protocols and social distancing measures will be strictly implemented . 3. Due to safety considerations, beaches will be open between 08h00 and 18h00, and will be closed on 31 December 2020, and 1,2 and 3 January 2021. 4. Hosting of events and gatherings is not permitted. 5. The closure of beaches, and restrictions on times of operation, do not apply to fisherman (for fishing purposes) who are in possession of a permit or exemption granted in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act, 1998. Fishermen will be allowed access to beaches between 06h00 and 18h00. 6. iSimangaliso will strictly enforce limits on the numbers of people, as guided by the regulations and Park carrying-capacity across its facilities. 7. Concessionaires within the Park (and overnight guests) will be allowed to operate within the constraints of the regulations. 8. No alcohol is allowed in the Park, and control points will be in place. 9. Roadblocks will be established at various points across the Park to enforce compliance. iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority remains committed to playing its part in minimising the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus, and will do everything possible to curb the spread of the virus. Since the outbreak of the virus, iSimangaliso has partnered with various companies and organisations in alleviating the plight of destitute families around the Park by delivering food parcels and PPEs, and conducting awareness raising and education in communities. The latest campaign is currently being rolled out in partnership with the UNDP, and thousands of PPEs have been distributed to all thirteen traditional councils both within and surrounding the Park. The Park Management wishes to thank all the visitors and communities who have displayed discipline and complied with the regulations during this festive season. It is through exercising such levels of restraint that together we can contain and eventually topple the corona virus. Wish you a safe and happy new year! Originally posted 0202-12-30 13:34:38.

Dec 16 2020
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Covid-19 December – Festive Season Announcement

By Sodwana Bay

Festive Season Announcement Dear iSimangaliso Wetland Park guests, visitors, community, and partners. It is that time of the year where we welcome guests from all over the country, including the Southern African Region and international visitors. We welcome you all, and wish you a safe and enjoyable time within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – World Heritage Site. As we all know on the 14th of December 2020, the President of the Republic of South Africa addressed the nation and announced additional level 1 National State of Disaster conditions. Accordingly, the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs issued amended regulations in terms of section 27(2). Clause 69.14 of the regulation states that access to national and provincial parks, and other parks where access control measures and entry limitations are already in place, will remain open to the public. In this regard the following measures will be implemented between the 16th of December 2020 until the 03rd of January 2021: • iSimangaliso will strictly enforce upper limits of 250 people for outdoors activities, as per regulations, in all of its facilities. • All overnight guests and concessionaires within the Park will be allowed to operate within the constraints of the regulations. • Roadblocks will be conducted at various points across the Park to enforce compliance. Use of Alcoholic Substances No alcohol is allowed within the Park and control points will be in place. Additional Restrictions • No vehicles will be permitted to enter the iSimangaliso Wetland Park if occupants are not wearing face masks and adhere to all health protocols. • All visitors and guests to the iSimangaliso Wetland Park will be subjected to temperature tests, and based on the results the iSimangaliso Authority reserves the right to refuse entry. The Park management understands that iSimangaliso has critical and essential locations at which local communities and other visitors enjoy themselves during festive seasons. However, due to the current regulation restrictions, numbers of people accessing the park will be strictly controlled to ensure safety against Covid-19. For more information on the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, visit our website at isimangaliso.com. Media enquiries should be directed to Bheki Manzini at bhekimanzini@isimangaliso.com.

May 11 2020
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8 things you can do under level 4 lockdown that you couldn’t do under level 5

By Sodwana Bay

Durban – South Africans are eagerly anticipating the downgrade of lockdown regulations from level 5 to level 4 which comes into effect on Friday, May 1.South Africa is currently in Day 35 of an extended lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19, and government is expected to gradually ease restrictions into various phases over the coming months.Last night, Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced a relaxation of lockdown regulations that will be effected from Friday. READ MORE: 8 things you can do under level 4 lockdown that you couldn’t do under level 5

May 01 2020
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eThekwini (Durban) will move to stage 4???

By Sodwana Bay

KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala says the eThekwini municipality (old Durban) will move to level 4 of lockdown on Friday but under strict regulations. “eThekwini is going to be part of those that are opening up some sectors and therefore it means we will be part of level four but that means that all regulations that are still attached will be implemented strictly,” said Zikalala. Zikalala was speaking at the disaster management centre on Wednesday where he, along with eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, received 10 mobile testing vehicles. Each vehicle is estimated to be able to take 120 swabs a day based on a 6-hour day. In the build-up to the relaxation of lockdown rules on Friday, there had been much talk on whether the municipality, which is the epicentre of the virus in the province, would be downgraded. Read more from source>>>

Apr 27 2020
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Sodwana Bay – Level 4 LOCKDOWN Explained – COVID-19

By Sodwana Bay

Sodwana Bay & Level 4 Lockdown Explained: A MUST WATCH – Thank God Sodwana Bay can move to Level 4 LOCKDOWN on Friday 1st of May 2020. Not sure what this would mean for operations on the beach. We have to wait for Isimangaliso Wetland Park  press release on this matter. We will do our best to keep you up too speed with any news regarding COVID-19. Let us stand together and help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Please stay at home – DO NOT BE FOOLISH! We might have been quarantined and the numbers aren’t so high in South Africa but it can still exponentially spike up putting  us back into FULL LOCKDOWN again. #COVID19 #LOCKDOWN #LEVEL 4 LOCKDOWN EXPLAINED #Sodwana Bay #Isimangaliso #Wetland Park

Apr 24 2020
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How is COVID-19 affecting Sodwana Bay

By Sodwana Bay

#Covid-19 & Sodwana Bay With the total shutdown of most industries in Sodwana Bay and a Nation wide #LOCK DOWN implemented – most of our locals are really taking a hard knock. Sodwana is situated in a rural area, so the poverty margins are unfortunately much higher. Its amazing to see how people rally together once forced to deal with matters concerning attention. I applaud those individuals who have taken it upon themselves to arrange for food deliveries and parcels to our local community. It is really making a difference in the lives of those who need it to most right now. Please keep up the good work and let us continue feeding the needy once this pandemic has passed over. Hopefully some of the restriction will be lifted soon… we will keep our ear to the ground and post important news as they develop. Stay HOME and be Safe!