The number of permits issued by the City of Cape Town’s Events Permit Office have more than doubled over the last seven months, compared to the previous financial year. The easing of lockdown regulations has contributed to this sharp increase.

The Events Permit Office has issued 191 event permits between July and December of the 2021/22 financial year.

This is in stark contrast to the 2020/21 financial year when the office only issued 91 event permits.

The low numbers in the previous financial year can be attributed to the national state of disaster restrictions on gatherings, which also forced the cancellation of many events.

‘The increase in the number of permits is a great indication that the events industry is steadily recovering from the pandemic that has caused devastation to jobs and the economy. During this financial year, we have hosted major events such as the Cape Town Cycle Tour, SANLAM Cape Town Marathon and Miss South Africa, among others. This shows that there is appetite from organisers as well as those who attend to return to having events full time in order to further stimulate the economy,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The Events Permit Office has also issued 30 non-compliance letters, with 25 in the last three months.

The letters are issued to organisers who did not provide the necessary documents timeously and whose proposed events failed to meet the safety requirements.

These events are not allowed to proceed.

‘While we support the full time return of events, it is also important that safety at events and Covid-19 compliance remains a priority. We would like to remind event organisers to ensure that they follow all legislative requirements and work with the Events Permit Office to ensure events are Covid-compliant. Officials are available to assist in ensuring event organisers are aware of the documentation and requirements for compliant events,’ said Alderman Smith.

Events staff are currently undertaking planning meetings and engagements with organisers of some iconic Cape Town events to take place over the coming months.

For an event permit approval, it is important that event organisers produce:

• Detailed medical plans or confirmation from a medical service provider to undertake this work.

• Detailed security plans

• Vendor layout plan and certificates of acceptability for food vendor

• Emergency evacuation plans

• Confirmation of an appropriate public liability insurance

• A SAPS Risk Grading Certificate.

Further requirements are stipulated on the City’s website.

Source: City Of Cape Town