Kubayi-Ngubane: New Year’s Eve parties should not happen

Kubayi-Ngubane’s comments come as South Africa is experiencing a resurgence in Covid-19 infections in at least three provinces, including KwaZulu-Natal.

“We will have a National (Coronavirus) Command Council meeting tomorrow (Thursday) where there will be discussions about what measures that need to come into place in terms of the festive season. 

“One of the things that some will worry about is the issues of the beaches in terms of numbers. You also know that we normally have countdowns at midnight festivals, which become huge festivals. I don’t think that should happen this year as minister of tourism. If I said that they should happen I will be totally reckless.”

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Kubayi-Ngubane was in Eshowe on Tuesday and Wednesday on a two-day visit to promote the tourism sector in the area.

Although the province has not been declared a hotspot for Covid-19, it still accounts for 16.1% of infections.

This week, Premier Sihle Zikalala said that the province is looking at closing down its  beaches ahead of the festive season as a result of rising Covid-19 numbers in the region.

However, Kubayi-Ngubane says she is not aware of any such discussions.

“I’ve read the news about the proposal from KwaZulu-Natal and I think it is still a source and not a formal discussion that I am aware of. From our side, as national, we have the national command council tomorrow where part of the discussion is to look at whether there is a need to do anything in the festive season to curb the spread of Covid-19.”