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www.thevillagenews.co.za
6 January 2021
Fernkloof open for hiking You are never T
he Overstrand, as part of the Overberg District, was declared an official Covid-19 hotspot area by President Ramaphosa on 28 December, and placed under an adjusted Level 3 lockdown along with the rest of the country. After much debating on how to interpret these new regulations, Overstrand Municipality’s Municipal Manager, senior officials and councillors decided that the mountain and hiking paths in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve will remain open for hiking. The municipality said in a state-
ment that this would hopefully take some pressure off the Cliff Path and give residents and visitors alike an alternative option while the beaches are closed. Members of the public who would like to explore Fernkloof Nature Reserve may access the reserve via all existing, sign-posted and designated footpaths or hiking and cycling trails.
nated Blue Route) are allowed in the reserve. Hikers are allowed to park at the visitors’ centre to start their hike. Monitors will assist with a stagger approach, should there be too many people at any given time.
The only exception is the Fernkloof gardens and the Three Dams, which will be closed in accordance with the amended Level 3 regulations.
Kindly take note: • The public needs to ensure that cloth face masks are worn at all times • The public needs to ensure that they stay within a safe distance from each other and not group together
Please note that no group hiking and no dogs (except on the desig-
Rotary Drive, the Hermanus Cliff Path and the VOS Coastal Path remain open.
Fishing permitted under lockdown level 3 In terms of the amended level 3 lockdown regulations, all beaches in areas declared hotspots (including all Overstrand beaches) are closed until 15 January 2021. Although some aspects of the regulations have caused uncertainties and are open to interpretation, the Overstrand Municipality has agreed that the closure of beaches does not apply to fishermen for fishing purposes between curfew hours (06:00 to
21:00). Everyone must be inside their place of residence at 21:00. Fishers (anglers) must also be in possession of a valid recreational fishing permit, obtainable from the Post Office. This is also applicable to the West Coast Rock Lobster season, whether from a boat or land. Those with permission to fish after 21:00 must have an essential services permit.
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Kindly take note that recreational fishing may not occur in groups, and all the laws applicable under the amended regulations, including those relating to social distancing and health protocols, continue to apply. The municipality reminds residents that we all have the responsibility to follow Covid-19 regulations. Please limit your exposure. Wear a face mask in public and adhere to all other health and safety protocols.
Our beaches may be closed, but the Whale Coast still offers many other attractions, including nature reserves with scenic hiking trails for the whole family to enjoy. “We recently embarked on a hike up the mountains behind Voëlklip and took on the gruelling Zig Zag trail,” writes Jo-Anne Grebe, the mom of four-year-old Jack Grebe (above). “For those who don’t know it, it is not the distance that gets you, but the 69 flights of stairs that you have to climb. This proved to be no problem for Jack, who climbed both up and then back down the mountain unassisted – with his parents, sisters and granny in tow! We are very proud and blown away by his tremendous efforts.” Well done, Jack!
