COVID-19: Dolphin Coast business to suffer in wake of national disaster

Widespread cancellation or postponement of events on the North Coast is happening in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa declaring the coronavirus a national disaster on Sunday.

Event organisers say they have had no choice but to either cancel or postpone local events as gatherings of 100 or more people are banned.

Ballito and its surrounding areas are prime tourist destinations and the coronavirus scare could have disastrous effects on the upcoming Easter holidays.

Ilembe Chamber of Commerce CEO, Cobus Oelofse agreed that the effects of the coronavirus could have serious implications for many local businesses.

“It is difficult to predict what the economic impact of the ban on gatherings will be, but it is potentially significant.

“As a business community we are in uncharted territory – recognising however that, as a collective and individual members, we need to take all the necessary precautions to provide reassurance to shoppers, diners, patrons, buyers, investors and clients that our district remains responsibly open for business,” said Oelofse.

“Recognising the potential impact, businesses are creatively responding to the ban, ensuring that hygiene and social distances are maintained.

“Despite this, events such as weddings and conferences, significant contributors to our local economy, and an economic identity that we try to promote, are in the balance.”

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Schools will close today and re-open after the Easter weekend, on April 14. To compensate, the mid-year holidays will be shortened by a week. Sporting events will also be affected.

Organisers of the Ballito Pro surfing contest are also debating on what steps to take but said they would make a decision at the end of March.

Major out-of-town draw cards for the tourism sector have also been cancelled, including the Royal Show and Decorex Africa Durban events.

The Royal Agricultural Society announced on Monday that they were in the process of refunding tickets and other services and contracts.

The Royal Show generates in excess of R250-million for the benefit of the Pietermaritzburg region.

Accommodation has also been heavily affected for the upcoming Easter holidays with local hotels reporting cancellations.

According to the Salt Rock Hotel’s front of house manager, Ravi Gurunnah, the hotel has seen up to 50 percent of its bookings cancelled.

“For us, in terms of accommodation, this means a loss of up to R400 000,” said Gurunnah. The bar and restaurant losses would also be significant.

Cyberview Letting Ballito owner Inus van Schalkwyk said they too have had a number of cancellations but that more people had opted to postpone their trips.

“Many people have opted to rather postpone their visits up until June, July and even September,” he said.

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Meanwhile, these are some of the upcoming events which have either been cancelled or postponed as confirmed today.

Postponed:

• The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund’s family fun day event at Rain Farm.
• The Muddy Puppy Challenge which was set to be held at Sugar Rush Park.
• The fundraising golf day for the Ballito Hindhu Dharma Sabha at the Zimbali Country Club.

Cancelled:

• Numerous local entertainment displays featuring musicians and artists at which local retailers would have benefited.
• Rugby matches which would have been shown on the big screen at local venues, a sure way to draw families out for a late lunch or early dinner.
• The Autumn Night Market at the Litchi Orchard in Salt Rock.
• Open Mic Night at The Market, Lifestyle which draws quite a large crowd.
• Umhlali & District Garden & Flower Club’s April meeting has been cancelled.
• The Ballito Writers Club has cancelled their March meeting.

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