South Africa is to close its public schools for a month from 27 July to reopen on August 24 to limit the spread of coronavirus as the country grapples with surging infections.
President Cyril Ramaphosa, who disclosed this on Thursday in an address to the nation, said the decision was taken by the cabinet.
“Cabinet has decided today that all public schools should take a break for the next four weeks,”
Ramaphosa added that the academic year that is due to end in December would be extended.
“We have taken a deliberately cautious approach to keep schools closed during a period when the country is expected to experience its greatest increase in infections,” Ramaphosa said.
He also announced a “historic” R500 billion ($30 billion) social relief and economic support package to fund the health response and assist “those in greatest need”.
The country has now recorded 408,052 coronavirus cases, the fifth-highest in the world. More than 6,000 people have died from the virus. Rising infections have caused concern among teaching staff, with unions calling on the government to revoke its decision to reopen schools for certain grades in June. Africa’s most industrialised economy is expected to contract by between 6.3 and 7.5 percent due to the pandemic, according to the African Development Bank.
[AFP]
