GEORGE NEWS - WESGRO and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism have issued new information to Local Tourism Offices about regulations affecting accommodation establishments under Level 4.
All accommodation establishments already operating or wanting to house isolation, quarantine or essential services must obtain permission from the National Department of Tourism.
The Disaster Management Regulations published on 29 April 2020 (“Alert Level 4 Regulations”) continue to make allowance for accommodation services as an essential or permitted service for quarantine and isolation, essential services workers and confinement of remaining tourists.
Permission to operate can be obtained by contacting the Department of Tourism (NDT) directly for further guidance. Contact Paul Mamola (pmasemola@tourism.gov.za) or Keetso Makumbe (kmakume@tourism.gov.za) and include the following on your application:
- The name of the company seeking accommodation (employer of essential services workers) with contact details;
- *Names and Surname (ID copies) of the essential workers who seek accommodation;
- Expected date of check-in and check-out.
*In the case of accommodation requests by SAPS and SANDF, there will be no need for submission of no. 2 above.
The application should be made on your official business letterhead.
For the housing of guests attending a funeral, please note the guests must provide the accommodation provider with a letter proving that they are attending a funeral and have obtained permission to travel.
If accommodation businesses have essential and permitted service workers already in their accommodation and have had for a while, they now need to apply to the National Department of Tourism for permission to operate. This applies even if they previously sent their information to DEDAT.
In addition to the approval which must be granted by the NDT, accommodation establishments wishing to list their properties as operational for the housing of isolation cases and or, quarantine cases and or essential workers during the pandemic, should register on the booking portal found on this link.. This link can also be used to book accommodation.
Previously it was thought that accommodation providers needed to register on Biz Portal. Although Bizportal includes accommodation services, this is NOT necessary. CIPC Certificates are not compulsory.
If you are travelling for an emergency and need to find accommodation, the best solution would be to find an accommodation offering in the area that has permission to operate from the National Department of Tourism.
If you are unable to find such an establishment but an establishment without permission is prepared to take you in, they can apply immediately to NDT for permission.
Contact George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism for a list of establishments that have obtained permission, on 044 801 9295 or info@visitgeorge.co.za.
All other accommodation queries can be sent to the Support Business team supportbusiness@wesgro.co.za and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) can be viewed here.
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