Welcoming Visitors Back Safely
29 September 2021
Cape Town is open for international travel and the city’s top attractions ready to welcome visitors back safely.
The V&A Waterfront
On par with global health and safety standards
South Africa’s most visited destination has adopted innovative cleaning technologies in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
“We believe that we are on par with global best practice,” says Tinyiko Mageza, Marketing Executive at the V&A Waterfront.
“Since lockdown, we have ensured that we manage our cleaning and safety protocols in alignment with the World Health Organisation guidelines. We are also staying abreast of global hygiene and safety innovations and have started piloting UV self-cleaning technology on our escalators. There is a whole world of cleaning and hygiene that we are discovering as a result of Covid-19.”
Safe Travel Stamp
The V&A Waterfront was the first attraction in South Africa to adopt the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp, the world’s first ever global safety and hygiene stamp for travel and tourism, designed specifically to address COVID-19 and similar outbreaks.
The WTTC produced global Safe Travel protocols for use by the Travel & Tourism sector as best practice guidelines to help restart and speed up the recovery of the sector in the wake of COVID-19. The aim of the protocols is to rebuild confidence among travellers, and within the tourism sector, so that safe travel can resume once restrictions are eased.
“The safety stamp is WTTC’s way of acknowledging that our safety protocols are up to a certain standard,” says Mageza. “It is an accreditation, but for our visitors specifically, it is a mark and a stamp that is indicative of the fact that we are globally recognised as applying safety protocols and creating safe spaces for our visitors.”
Safeguarding the health of visitors and employees
As part of its coronavirus response, the V&A Waterfront has introduced an intensified cleaning and sanitising regime of its public areas, requires visitors to wear masks at all times, and is limiting the number of visitors in its stores. Natural ventilation has been increased where possible, and the V&A is making creative use of its many open spaces to facilitate social distancing.
“We’ve rolled out a number of sanitising stations throughout the precinct,” says Mageza. “All our retailers have also been provided with basic safety protocols that they need to adhere to in terms of provision of sanitiser, physical distancing and wearing of masks. Our restaurants have spatially reconfigured their environments to allow people to still enjoy the meal, while doing so in a way that takes into consideration the distancing and safety protocols.”
Creating a natural behaviour with visitors
Says Mageza: “What is important is to ensure that we always have messaging and communication that talks to not only what we are doing, but also to the obligation on our visitors and the people who live and work in our neighbourhood. It goes both ways. We are absolutely doing our part, but we are also inviting the public to do theirs.”
We’ve adopted a principle at the V&A – no mask, no entry. So we encourage everyone to wear a mask. It’s a labour of love.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
Putting the health and safety of visitors first
Says Cableway managing director, Wahida Parker: “Our goal is to ensure that every visitor has a world-class experience. Therefore, we have taken every step to ensure that the health and safety of our visitors and staff remain our top priority.”
The Cableway has been engaging with the relevant industry bodies throughout the lockdown period to ensure that safety measures are implemented to protect staff and visitors.
We will operate the Cableway for visitors in accordance with health regulations and will follow strict Covid-19 health and safety protocols.
A maximum of 26 people, plus the cabin master, will be allowed in the cable car during rides to ensure physical distancing takes place.
No entry without face masks
To reduce the spread of Covid-19, nobody will be permitted to enter a cable car without a face mask. The cableway will be deep-cleaned every 24 hours and sanitised after every ride to ensure the safety of visitors and our team. Hand sanitiser will also be provided at the lower and top stations.
The Wi-Fi Lounge at the top station will be open for hot and cold drinks such as coffee, tea and water. The visitor centre at the lower station will be open, and snacks and takeaway meals such as sandwiches, salads and cakes will be available at the kiosk. Under level 2 regulations, visitors can also enjoy wine, beer and Glühwein at the Wi-Fi Lounge and lower station.
For more information and tickets, visit the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
Groot Constantia
Creating a safe environment for visitors to enjoy
South Africa’s oldest wine estate has put the necessary precautions in place to ensure that visitors are welcomed back safely.
Groot Constantia has been producing top quality wines uninterrupted since 1685.
The estate’s award-winning wines can be found at restaurants and establishments across the world, but nothing beats a wine-tasting tour and visit to the historic estate itself.
Compliant with WTTC protocols
“At Groot Constantia, we are committed to enforcing the approved protocols and directions set out by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) in order to protect all who work and visit the estate,” says Lila Jutzen, Marketing Manager at Groot Constantia.
“As part of our Covid-19 response, we have introduced an intensified cleaning and sanitising regime in high traffic areas. A staff member is allocated this duty daily and every hour door handles, window handles, cashiers’ desks, railings, taps, etc. are sanitised. In addition, all wine tastings are seated to ensure suitable social distancing. Tables and chairs are sanitised after each tasting and our staff are fully trained and kept up to date on the latest safety measures and protocols.”
Jutzen added that face masks were mandatory and that all visitors are screened upon entry.
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