President Ramaphosa announced on Monday that South Africa is placed under an adjusted Level 3 lockdown until mid-January 2021.

He also announced that the Overstrand, as part of the Overberg District, was declared an official Covid-19 hotspot area.

After much debating on how to interpret the new adjusted Level 3 lockdown regulations, Overstrand Municipality’s Municipal Manager, senior officials and councillors decided that the mountain and hiking paths in the Fernkloof Nature Reserve will be open for hiking with immediate effect.

This is wonderful news on this last day of a very challenging year and will hopefully take the pressure off the cliff path and give residents and visitors alike an alternative option instead of going to the beach.

Reserve users who would like to explore Fernkloof Nature Reserve may access the reserve via all existing, sign posted and designated foot paths or hiking and cycling trails.

The only exception is the Fernkloof gardens and the 3 Dams that will be closed in accordance with the amended Level 3 regulations.

Please, no group hiking and no dogs allowed (except on the designated Blue Route).

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.

Rotary Drive, the Hermanus Cliff Path and the VOS Coastal Path remain open.

Kindly take note:

• The public needs to ensure that cloth 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

I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday in the Overstrand where there are still the beautiful mountains to enjoy and my warm wishes for a better new year.

Best regards,
Municipal Manager of Overstrand Municipality, Dean O’Neill