Contact sports in schools suspended with immediate effect
The decision was taken in a virtual meeting held on Wednesday.
The council of education ministers has taken a decision to suspend all contact sports in schools with immediate effect.
The decision was taken in a virtual meeting held on Wednesday. The announcement was made in a press statement by the Department of Basic Education (DoE), on the same day.
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.
In 2021, after the reopening of schools and consultations with education stakeholders, the Department of Basic Education gazetted directions allowing non-contact sport, sports related activities and school-based art and cultural activities to resume without spectators, subject to adherence of safety measure.
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Further, on February 12, 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 one, school sports activity related Covid-19 outbreaks in Gauteng were reported and has been gradually increasing in term two.
“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 sports events still contribute to the spread of Covid-19.”
Following the school sports 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 contact sport has been suspended with immediate effect until the 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,” it stated.
