Following a virtual meeting that was held by ministers of the Council of Education on 19 May contact sports at school have been suspended with immediate effect.
Non-contact sports 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 released statement by the Department of Education read, “In 2021, after the reopening of schools and consultations with education stakeholders, the DBE gazetted directions allowing non-contact sport, sport-related activities, and school-based art and cultural activities to resume without spectators, subject to adherence of safety measures.
” Further, on 12 February 2021, Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, gazetted directions on school sports and extramural activities, non-contact sport, sport-related activities, and school-based art and cultural activities to resume subject to health and safety protocols.
All CONTACT sport suspended. @DBE_SA pic.twitter.com/quZuoslUPZ
— Elijah Mhlanga (@ElijahMhlanga) May 19, 2021
“During the last week of Term 1, school sports activity related to 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 sports events still contribute to the spread of Covid-19.
“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 in preparatory school sport. The department will continue to monitor the situation and a government gazette will be issued with the notice in the coming days.”
