- The City of Cape Town has cancelled the annual festival lights switch-on for 2020 due to Covid-19 regulations.
- The City was, however, considering hosting several smaller events as part of the Cape Town CBD revitalisation programme.
- The smaller events would be central to revitalising the economy going forward, the City said.
The City of Cape Town has taken the decision to cancel the annual festival lights switch-on event for 2020 due to Covid-19 regulations.
According to the City, the festival drew a crowd of approximately 100 000 people annually and sets the tone for Cape Town's festive season.
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"In light of the Covid-19 pandemic and the extension of the National Disaster Management Act restrictions on the number of people allowed at a public gathering, it is important to pause the event for the safety of all those who would be involved in the concert," mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith said.
Smith said the City was, however, considering hosting several smaller events as part of the Cape Town CBD revitalisation programme, the first of which was set to take place at Greenmarket Square this week.
"These events will be organised in line with the national lockdown restrictions and with the health and safety protocols in place," he added.
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These events were set to revitalise the CBD's economy going forward, the City said.
The City said it had to assist the sector in arresting the economic decline due to the many job losses, by supporting event organisers.
The City said it would communicate with the public on the date and venues for the upcoming events.
