PLEASE NOTE: The Greater Ballito Operations Centre (GBOC) who are managing the disaster relief locally have asked the Courier to publish the below information. We are working very closely with the GBOC and will keep you updated accordingly.

Following a successful, albeit busy first day of retailers reopening their doors in Ballito, a few updates to restrictions have been made by the GBOC.

For food sales, the item restriction has been increased from 20 to 40 items with effect from tomorrow, July 17.

“The rationale is that it will not materially slow down the turn-around times and will ensure a more balanced sales mix, which in turn will assist in the supply chain management,” said Warwick Chapman, GBOC CEO.

Retail trading hours will remain from 9am to 4pm pending review.

For fuel purchases, all participating petrol stations will be rationing vehicles to R300 worth of fuel, with emergency services being allowed R500.

“We trust that consumers will be responsible and realise we are in a difficult situation, even though fuel deliveries are expected at various fuel stations over the next 24 to 48 hours,” he said.

Participating fuel stations include BP Ballito, Engen Ballito, Shell Ballito, Caltex Salt Rock, Sasol Salt Rock and BP Umhlali.

Individual petrol stations retain the right to amend the rations as required.

The fuel situation will be reviewed on Monday and further updates will be provided after reassessing fuel levels in Ballito.

Stickers for the purposes of priority refueling for essential and emergency vehicles, i.e. retailers, medical, security and utility providers, will be issued by Privi Makhan from 9am to 2pm tomorrow at the Salt Rock hotel.

Access into the Greater Ballito area will still be controlled, but will be relaxed to allow vehicles from anywhere, regardless of vehicle registration.

“We are buoyed by the community coming together and showing support, appreciation and tolerance today.

“The right decisions are not always the popular ones, but we saw the resilience of our community today, and we believe this will continue to shine through over the weekend.”