With schools and some industries closing for the year, the City expects an increase in holiday traffic volumes, and visitor numbers to beaches and other public amenities.

The City of Cape Town’s festive season plan will shift up a gear as the peak festive season period approaches.

This week, schools and numerous industries close their doors for the next few weeks, and many people’s annual leave take effect.

Apart from the expected increase in footfall at shopping malls and retailers, the City also expects an increase in traffic volumes as holidaymakers come and go.

Visits to tourist attractions, beaches and other public amenities are also expected to increase.

‘Our integrated policing plan will see deployment to all areas mentioned and more, to ensure compliance with the City’s by-laws, and to support SAPS with crime prevention. Our Traffic Service also launched their annual Operation Exodus project yesterday, which allows public transport operators to undergo voluntary vehicle checks before they embark on their journeys. In addition, we will set up vehicle checkpoints around the major public transport interchanges, to check driver and vehicle fitness, as these long distance operators leave town.

‘As people head down to the beach or other public spaces, they are reminded that the consumption of alcohol is prohibited, and not only will they be fined, but their alcohol will be confiscated too. Alcohol is a common denominator in so many incidents over this time of year, and it is best left at home, in the interest of public safety. Our liquor impoundment facility has opened this week, and it will no doubt have amassed a sizeable collection of confiscated liquor by next week,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

At City-managed swimming pools and certain designated beaches, lifeguards will be stationed daily to manage the influx of visitors, particularly in the bathing areas.

The City appoints hundreds of seasonal lifeguards each year to assist permanent senior lifeguards in managing water safety.

‘Everyone enjoys a bit of fun in the sun, but there are rules in place and for very good reason. I implore visitors to our beaches and swimming pools to please obey the instructions of lifeguards, to swim only in areas designated for bathing, and to keep an eye on their children at all times. Parents, with the school holidays upon us, do not send your children to the swimming pools without adult supervision, and when they are in the water, make sure you can see them. The City works very hard to ensure the safety of our beach and pool visitors, but it is a shared responsibility. Don’t drink and swim, stay between the flags at all times in the designated swimming areas and if you are not a strong swimmer, rather keep to the shallow end of the pool or ocean,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Patricia Van der Ross.

Source: City of Cape Town