Boardwalks and promenades remain open despite an updated definition of ‘beach’ in Monday’s government gazette.

The gazette confirms the closure of beaches, dams, rivers and public pools in hotspot areas which include the iLembe and Ethekwini district municipalities.

It further changes the definition of ‘beach’ to mean the sandy, pebbly or rocky shore between the high-water and low-water mark adjacent to:

(i) The sea.
(ii) An estuary mouth extending 1000 meters inland from the mouth.
(iii) Within 100 meters of the high-water mark, excluding private property but including the sea and estuary themselves adjacent to the beach.

Though there has been some confusion as to whether boardwalks would remain open for leisure and exercise activities, KwaDukuza lifeguard superintendent Bongani Xulu confirmed that they are.

“The heads of department are discussing what this gazette means, but until we get more information people are definitely allowed on the boardwalk,” he said.

The Durban beachfront promenade has also remained open.

You are now also allowed to exercise mask-free if you are doing “vigorous exercise” assuming social distance is still maintained.

A clarification of what “vigorous exercise” means is expected in the coming days from the department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs who released the gazette on Monday.

Be sure to get down to the boardwalks if you can brave the heat to get as much of a beach fix as is possible under current regulations.