The Johannesburg Multi-Party Government welcomes the decision by the National Department of Health to repeal Regulations Relating to the Surveillance and Control of Notifiable Medical Conditions.
The decision will go a long way in reinvigorating Joburg’s economic activity.
Annually, Johannesburg plays host to hundreds of major events – conferences, exhibitions, festivals, and sporting tournaments that attract millions of visitors. These events play a significant role in boosting Joburg’s image as a tourism and an investment destination and create thousands of short-term and permanent jobs.
By way of example, pre-COVID-19 the Joint Operations Committee (JOC), which ensures that all events held in Joburg are safe and that the event organisers comply with all by-laws and City regulations, received up to 300 applications for events in a single month.
Pre-COVID, Joburg attracted 5-million visitors annually, and we want to see the City return to these levels, and even exceed this number over the medium-term.
While the rescission of Regulations is welcomed, it must be stated that COVID-19 remains with us, we therefore call on residents of the City to self-police, continue to practice good hygiene and to be vigilant to the possibility of infection.
In my ongoing engagements with representatives of Foreign Missions, I will use the opportunity to promote Joburg’s ability to host large-scale conferences and impress upon them the work we are doing to build a City that is business-friendly, safe and secure.
Indeed, Joburg is open for business and entertainment; and as the Multi-Party Government, we are ready to welcome business and leisure visitors to the country’s economic capital.
ENDS
For media queries, please contact:
Mabine Seabe
Director: Mayoral Communication
Private Office of the Executive Mayor
084 677 7851
23/06/2022
