Education Department bans all contact sports at schools with immediate effect
According to a statement by the Department of Basic Education, there has been a resurgence of sports related Covid-19 outbreaks.
THE Council of Education Ministers made the decision to suspend all contact sports in schools with immediate effect.
In a virtual meeting held this morning, the body said non-contact sport training could continue, provided that all social distancing, hygiene and safety measures were observed and that there was no physical contact between participants during training.
The Department of Basic Education gazetted directives that would allow for non-contact sport, sport-related activities and cultural activities to resume, without spectators, in 2021.
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In early February this year, the Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, gazetted directions on schools sports and extra mural activities to resume.
The department highlighted the fact that, in the last week of term 1, Covid-19 outbreaks, which resulted from school sports activities, were reported and have gradually increased.
“It is evident, that despite following the protocols as guided by the directions on extramural activities and standard operating procedures, contact sports events still contribute to the spread of Covid-19,” said Motshekga.
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In the statement, the department noted that all sporting activities were suspended until the clusters outbreak is over with no further cases reported.
“The department will continue to monitor the situation,” said Motshekga.
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