City of Johannesburg reopens nature reserves for residents

Reserves were closed during the festive season in the City of Johannesburg.

Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo spokesperson Jenny Moodley says five of its best nature reserves have been reopened.

“Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, as per regulation 39 in terms of the Disaster Management Act, has opened some of its reserves.

“This includes its flagship facilities which includes Klipriversberg nature reserve, Kloofendal nature reserve, the Beaulieu Bird Sanctuary, Rietfontein nature reserve, and, of course, Northcliff Hill,."

“We also have an arrangement with Melville Koppies Association where they will ensure that the reserve is open to residents through a pre-booking process. Unfortunately, at this stage, parks remain closed because many of these parks have fencing and we appeal to residents to comply with protocols for their safety,” she adds.

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Moodley says protocols for COVID-19 in the reserves are in place.

“It is of paramount importance that both our staff and, for an example in the zoo, the animals in our care are protected.

“We on a daily basis do screening for every staff member that is in attendance and recently had a COVID-19 positive case at one of our reserves and of course that delayed some of the flagship facilities.

“The protocols are in place, but we appeal to residents to also comply and stay clear from staff, particularly staff that are wearing their uniform and we need our staff during these trying times to make sure that service delivery in the city continues in and we can only do that with your support.”