Thread by @SAgovnews

Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane briefs the media on the level 3 regulations in the tourism sector #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

To ensure that SMMEs in the tourism sector survive the crisis we put together the tourism relief fund. The application window for the Covid-19 Tourism Relief Fund will close on 31 May 2020 #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

The Tourism Relief Fund provides a once-off capped grant
of R50 000 per entity to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs, and other pressure cost items #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

To date, more than 6 000 completed applications for grant assistance have been received from across the country #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

A large bulk of the applications were from businesses that provide accommodation services (2495), followed by hospitality at (1825), travel related services
(1780) and other at (662) #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

However, we have received feedback from applicants who experienced a number of challenges when they attempted to apply for the fund through our online system #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

Some had difficulties uploading documents onto system, some requested many times to submit documents they had already submitted and some were unable to access the system #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

To remedy some of these challenges we encourage those that still have outstanding documents to submit before the closing date #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

As you are aware,the tour guiding subsector is dominated by freelancers and independent contractors with no job security and for this reason the government relief schemes including the tourism relief fund did not cover them #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

In response, the Department has come up with an additional financial relief mechanism for tourist guides. We have set aside a total of R30 million which will provide financial relief over a period of two to three months #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

Restaurants for delivery or collection of food. Restaurants with liquor licences are allowed to sell alcohol only for takeout and delivery #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

In this area there’s been an outcry that they must be allowed for onsite consumption #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

We are in discussions with restaurants so that whatever solution is provided in this regard for sit-down doesn’t perpetuate the inequality and we are confident that in our next submission to NCCC this will be considered #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

Professional services - e.g. tourist guides, tour operators, travel agents, tourism information officers are allowed to come back to operations #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

Professional Services including training of nature guides and other related services that are able to ensure safe distance #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

Public and private game farms have been opened for self-drive excursions. Hiking to be done in compliance with existing guidelines and not in groups #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

Accommodation activities are allowed, except for leisure and establishments will no longer require a letter from Minister of Tourism to operate #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

They are required to ensure that they accommodate those in the permitted services and keep records for inspections by the department #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

Hunting and Gaming activities are also allowed #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19

The following economic activities will remain prohibited under level three and these include conferences, events, entertainment activities (such as Festivals) are still
not permitted #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

Some of the conference venues have been used in the fight against the pandemic and as such are allowed to be operational, including being used for distribution points of social relief measures #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

Casinos not permitted and leisure travel not permitted #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

The opening up of hunting will also be a big boost to the tourism sector. The hunting industry contributes an estimated R2b annually to the tourism sector and it also contributes to employment in rural areas #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

We have continuously been in consultation with the entire sector since the declaration of the state of disaster and the commencement of the lockdown to ensure our sector survives beyond Covid-19 #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

We have already engaged on the adjusted levels for the proposed inclusion of certain tourism operations and servicesWe are doing all in our power to cushion the sector and mitigate against any potential job
losses #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

Government also appreciates the support from the sector in making available some of their facilities for use as quarantine sites and the commitment to do more #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

We strongly believe that tourism will recover and grow beyond the levels it achieved before the crisis #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

I have tasked the SAT CEO with driving the process of developing a draft tourism recovery plan for South Africa #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

As part of the process, SAT has been convening weekly
webinars with various tourism stakeholders to get their inputs on the post-COVID-19 tourism sector #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

SAT and the department have also been receiving written submissions from SA across the country who want to see our sector getting back to a growth trajectory #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

Although we will be gradually opening up the sector in the coming months, depending on how the virus is spreading, we expect that the sector will only fully recover towards the end of this year #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

We have a beautiful country that will still be beautiful after the Covid-19 pandemic. PostCovi-19, people will still yearn to visit beautiful places and create memorable moments with their loved ones #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

We have plans in place to, as soon as the world begins to open up, to resume marketing our country and rebuilding our brand #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

We remain committed to work tirelessly to safeguard our tourism industry, & this will need heightened cooperation and partnerships as we implement our response plan and lay a foundation for a healthier, more resilient future #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

[Full Statement] Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane – COVID-19 alert level 3 risk adjusted strategy tourism sector response measures and directions tinyurl.com/yaywqjmz #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations

[Read] South Africans, who have been confined to their homes, will now be allowed to venture out for hikes from 1 June when the country moves to level 3 of the lockdown #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations tinyurl.com/ya6dntuh @Tourism_gov_za

[Read] The application window for the COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund will close on 31 May 2020 #WeDoTourism #TourismStrong #StayHome #Covid_19 #Level3Regulations tinyurl.com/ya7rddvr @Tourism_gov_za