The Democratic Alliance (DA) in George welcomes the emphatic statement by the Western Cape Provincial Government that all holidaymakers are welcome in the Western Cape, and in the Garden Route in particular, over the upcoming holiday season. We welcome the clear statement that no holidaymakers need to cancel their travel plans, and that the Provincial Government is firmly opposed to any further lockdowns.

The DA wishes all prospective holidaymakers to the Garden Route an enjoyable, safe and relaxing Christmas holiday season. We have no doubt that these travellers from across South Africa and the world will have a wonderful time in the Garden Route, enjoying the incredible natural beauty, the beaches, and the country’s best tourism infrastructure.

The Garden Route, with George at its heart, is a tourism economy. The Christmas holiday season is the most important time of the year for thousands of tourism-related business owners and tens of thousands of employees across the Garden Route. This is especially true in 2020, with these businesses relying on the Christmas season to recover after the lockdown.

There should be no talk whatsoever of the possibility of a further lockdown interrupting holidaymakers’ travel plans. We have full confidence that holidaymakers will exercise personal responsibility, maintain social distancing, wear masks, wash their hands, and will still have enjoyable and relaxing holidays with their friends and families. They are welcome, and every town along the Garden Route looks forward to welcoming them to the most beautiful part of South Africa!

The lockdown has already left South Africa’s economy in ruins, with 2.2 million more people losing their jobs in the last 8 months. This is a human tragedy of incomprehensible scale, and it should never, ever be repeated.

To holidaymakers, we say: "Drive carefully, stay safe, and see you soon!”

 

Issued by The DA