Fedhasa (Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa) has clarified its position on Advanced Level 3 lockdown measures for leisure travel in South Africa.

“Fedhasa’s stance on this matter is that of the TBCSA (Tourism Business Council of South Africa). As per the regulations, intra-provincial [within province] travel is allowed. Accommodation is open for all purposes, including leisure,” says CEO, Lee Zama.

The clarification follows comments made by Chairperson of Fedhasa’s Western Cape branch, Jeff Rosenberg, in an interview with Cape Talk last week, who said an official source told him that intra-provincial leisure travel was not allowed.

“Unfortunately, government’s message contradicts the regulations, hence the panic and angst. Through the TBCSA, we as industry sent a formal letter to government highlighting evident discrepancies in the application of the regulations,” says Zama.

“The effects of the pandemic have massively impacted our industry, and any further delays in operating mean an increase of permanent closures of accommodation establishments.”

Fedhasa is embarking on a major training initiative to ensure members and non-members alike benefit from the work the sector has done to develop COVID-19 safety protocols. “We have confidence that our sector generally operates under strict hygienic conditions. The COVID-19 hospitality safety protocols we have developed further enhance the level of hygiene standards we have set,” says Zama.

Tourism and hospitality adviser, Gillian Saunders, said in her latest opinion piece that the industry had developed amazing protocols which enable it to operate across the tourism value chain, mitigating all of the COVID-19 risks.

“We need to celebrate all of the businesses and their employees out there who are learning and implementing these new ways of operating in order to welcome our visitors, guests and passengers,” she said.