AS the country moved into a slightly relaxed alert level 3 yesterday, eThekwini Municipality began to reopen some of its public amenities - while in strict keeping with the Covid-19 safety protocols.
The Mount Edgecombe-based garden refuse site also began to operate in full capacity from noon on Monday after a temporary shutdown while a nearby factory was burning due to the recent civil unrest, the city has announced.
“Residents are permitted to dispose of garden waste not exceeding one bakkie load per week for free at any of the Durban Solid Waste garden refuse sites. The public is reminded to observe all Covid-19 protocols when visiting the sites and that the ‘No Mask, No Entry’ rule remains applicable,” spokesperson Msawakhe Mayisela said.
In keeping with the newly relaxed Covid-19 regulations, municipal libraries and museums reopened, offering limited services based on the approved standard operating procedures, said Mayisela.
In the cyber zone sections, patrons are only allowed for 30 minutes, while for the study hall, a person can spend a maximum of two hours.
While there would be no service for the issuing of newspapers and audio-visuals, there would be a limited number of patrons per site, depending on the size of the site.
Mayisela said some facilities would remain closed while they were being repaired after acts of vandalism.
He said outstanding books could be returned to the nearest libraries in case the library in a community was not open, adding that the return date for books had been extended until July 31.
Reservoir Hills Library is permanently closed as it was burnt down. The closest libraries are in Westville North and Westville Central.
Closest to the KwaMashu library are Besters Library and libraries in Newlands and Inanda.
Alternatives to the KwaDabeka Library are in Wyebank, Clermont, Pinetown and New Germany.
For Dassenhoek Library, the closest are in Motala Heights, Klaarwater and St Wendolins.
Closest to the Ntuzuma library include those in Newlands, Besters and Inanda.
As Montlands Library has been destroyed, the public can use the closest alternatives in Lamontville, Merebank, Austerville and Grosvenor.
The closest libraries to the uMlazi AA section are in uMlazi W and Isipingo Civic.
All swimming pools remain closed until further notice.
“The public is advised that Covid-19 protocols such as social distancing, wearing of masks and sanitisation must be adhered to when accessing these facilities,” said Mayisela.
THE MERCURY