Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden to open for exercise

After the government-imposed Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have forced it to close its gates earlier this year, the public will finally be allowed into the Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden (WSNBG) from Monday, 3 August.

However, all the country’s botanical gardens will, under the Covid-19 lockdown rules, open for exercise only. Daily access to the WSNBG will be monitored and limited once the safe carrying capacity for the area has been reached.

Members of the public who will be visiting the gardens will be required to wear face masks, be temperature-screened and complete a tracing register.

The public is also urged to respect the gate opening and closing hours that will be strictly adhered to.

“The welfare of our visitors and staff is of paramount importance to us, and we therefore urge our patrons to follow the prescribed Covid-19 regulations currently applicable under advanced Level 3,” said Acting Chief Executive Officer, Carmel Mbizvo.

No social gatherings, picnics or public events will be allowed.

According to the regulations published in the Government Gazette 43564 on 28 July, commercial facilities in the gardens, such as restaurants, can open under alert Level 3, subject to prescribed regulations.

Business conferences and meetings limited to not more than 50 attendees can take place under controlled conditions outlined in the government regulations.

The public is further advised to check opening and closing times plus entrance fees as these are subject to change.

The decision to open national botanical gardens was announced by the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Ms Barbara Creecy, on 30 July.