GEORGE NEWS - Restaurants that wish to welcome dog owners with their dogs on their premises can apply to the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) for approval in terms of a brand-new policy in this area.
The policy aims to provide clear guidelines for municipal health services and restaurant owners on establishing dog-friendly areas in compliance with existing regulations governing hygiene requirements for food premises. The existing regulations prohibit animals in areas where food is handled.
Restaurants can now apply for exemption from these regulations so that they can have dog-friendly areas on their premises.
According to the policy, dogs will be allowed only in outdoor or outside seating areas of food establishments, subject to certain conditions. The dog-friendly area must be separated from the food premises and the establishment must provide a separate entrance for patrons with dogs.
There are also guidelines regarding floor surfaces and furthermore, only single-use tableware will be allowed for use in the dog-friendly area.
The number of dogs accompanying a patron is limited to one and dogs must be on a leash and well behaved. Dog owners will also have to be able to show proof that their dog's vaccinations are up to date.
Markets
At markets, a designated food court must be provided to which dogs have no access, as well as a demarcated area for dog owners and their dogs.
Deon Mocke, owner of the Outeniqua Family Market, welcomed the policy, but said the requirements will be difficult to implement due to the existing seating arrangements at his market.
Visitors to the market had for years brought along their dogs, but earlier this year, the GRDM suddenly placed a ban on them. Mocke said this has hurt his business significantly as a large chunk of his clientele are retirees who visited the market with their dogs.
"The market was a safe outing they enjoyed with their dogs. Our market has had a difficult year. First the dog ban and then the roadworks on the N2 which has also impacted us negatively. We will be grateful if dogs can return to the market."
Herman Pieters, GRDM head of communication, said the policy is being refined to give clarity on certain of the directives.
Garden Route Mayor Andrew Stroebel, who spearheaded the development of the new policy, said with the holiday season approaching, restaurant owners are eager to implement their plans. The district municipality's community services department has developed the policy in record time so as to allow time for applications for approval.
Stroebel said it is a first-of-its-kind policy at a district municipality in South Africa that should reduce red tape and position the Garden Route as a tourist destination that is open to more segments of society.
The necessary application documents for restaurants can be found on the GRDM website. For more information, contact the head of municipal health in George (Outeniqua), Emmy Douglas, on 044 803 1537, 078 457 2824 or email: emmy@gardenroute.gov.za.
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