All contact sports in schools have been supended with immediate effect.
The Council of Education Ministers has taken this decision this morning (19 May) during a virtual meeting.
“Non-contact sport training in schools can continue, provided that all social distancing, hygiene and safety measures are observed and that there is no physical contact between participants during training,” the Department of Basic Education said in a statement.
On 12 February this year the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, gazetted directions on school sports and extra mural activities, non-contact sport, sports-related activities and school-based art and cultural activities to resume, subject to health and safety protocols.
“During the last week of term 1, school sport activity related COVID-19 outbreaks in Gauteng were reported and have been gradually increasing in term 2. It is evident that despite following the protocols as guided by the directions on extramural activities and standard operating procedure on the prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 in schools, contact sport events still contribute to the spread of COVID-19.”
Following the school sport activities related COVID-19 outbreaks in Gauteng and general rise of cases in communities across the country, the Outbreak Response Team (ORT) said that the risk was high when engaged in close-contact sports, especially with people who did not live together.
“In this regard, all sporting activities have been suspended with immediate effect until the clusters outbreak is subsequently over with no further cases reported, including the preparatory school sport. The Department will continue to monitor the situation.”
A government gazette will be issued with the notice in the coming days.
