Table Mountain 'hot spot' for potential coronavirus outbreak, closes doors
Updated | By Nokukhanya N Mntambo
Cape Town's top tourist destination Table Mountain will close its doors to tourists while the country and the globe rushes to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
A leading tourist destination, Table Mountain sees a litany of international travelers every year - posing a major health threat for the continued spread of the deadly virus.
More than 200 000 cases have been confirmed and a staggering death toll of at least 8 200 people.
Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company's Wahida Parkers says the decision to close its doors was a painstaking process.
"We need to accept and understand that we are an international tourist destination which means people come to the destination from all over the world and as such we are a hot-spot for the potential spreading of the virus," says Parker.
She says the closure will have ripple effects.
"The impact on the tourism economy is huge. I cannot even begin to quantify it.
"It is painful for us to acknowledge that through our closure we are impacting small suppliers and tour operators who are dependent on the attractions remaining open."
Parker adds the tourist destination is likely to resume operations after the Easter holidays, depending on global developments.
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