Visitors, please note that our Cableway operations are closed from Wednesday 18 March 2020. The cableway will remain closed until greater clarity is given on the management and containment of this virus by the President and international health bodies, such as the World Health Organisation.

When will  the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) be closed?

President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the nation to act in a responsible manner and to work with Government to curb the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our country.

In adherence with this call, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company will be closed to all visitors as from Wednesday 18 March 2020. The cableway will remain closed until after the Easter weekend, or until greater clarity is given on the management and containment of this virus by the President and international health bodies, such as the World Health Organisation.

When will it reopen?

The cableway will remain closed until until greater clarity is given on the management and containment of this virus by the President and international health bodies, such as the World Health Organisation.

Why has TMACC been closed to visitors?

As the leading attraction in Africa and the Indian Ocean, we believe that it is our duty to act responsibly as a tourism operator under these extreme circumstances. As the number of confirmed cases continue to rise, we will continue to take the necessary precautions to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Is this the first time that TMACC has had to cancel or close in this kind of manner?

Closing the operation on short notice is something that we are very familiar, as we are a highly dependent on the weather in order to operate. In instances that we have had to close due to the weather, however, we have been able to open once the weather has cleared. A similar approach has been applied in instances when the mountain has also been on fire.

With this outbreak, however, we are unsure of how this will unfold and how long it will take for the national authorities and health bodies to contain this virus.

Have you quantified how many customers you might end up losing, and are their financial contingencies in place to make up the financial loss?

Considering the extent of what is happening globally, and without a clear end in sight, it will be very hard for us to quantify the financial loss at this point in time. As with any other organisation in this environment, this will take time for us to determine the magnitude and true impact that this pandemic will have.

Are you in contact with other tourism operators in the city to see what they are doing?

We are in constant contact with other tourist operations. Each business needs to make the decision for themselves depending on their exposure. As it will be difficult for TMACC to ensure that social distancing takes place, we have had to make this decision probably sooner than other business may have to.

Will staff members be paid for the time while you are closed?

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 (“OHSA”), requires an employer to bring about and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of its employees.

As a responsible employer, we have a legal obligation to provide and maintain a safe, healthy work environment and to use reasonable endeavours to limit risk to our employees.

Can people still hike up the mountain if they wish?

The City of Cape Town has noted the key containment and mitigation measures that are being implemented across the world and in South Africa in an effort to reduce the spread of the COVID-19. In a statement issued on Tuesday, 17 March 2020, the City has decided to close the below City facilities from Wednesday, 18 March 2020.

Facilities to close include:
• Swimming pools
• Camping sites
• Museums
• Art centres
• Community halls/Civic centres
• Recreational hubs
• Stadia
• Spray parks
• Resorts
• Braai and picnic spots
• City sports fields
• Nature reserves

Based on this, we would encourage all individuals to practice social distancing and avoid the above-mentioned places that this City has closed, including nature reserves.

Can visitors get a refund on tickets purchased?

TMACC has put arrangements in place for visitors who have already purchased tickets, to use these tickets at a later date or to apply for a refund here.

For more information on the Coronovirus and the Western Cape’s safety measures, please visit the World Health Organisation and Western Cape Government ‘s websites.