Spokesperson for the Northern Cape Education Department, Geoffrey van der Merwe, stresses that the closure of the schools is not indicative of a mass outbreak in the district, but rather single  cases of COVID-19 across the six schools. He says they are monitoring the situation closely and ensuring that all protocols including the closure of schools for decontamination, are being followed.

“The following schools have been closed following confirmed COVID-19 cases, the Carnarvon Primary School, Enoch Mthetho Secondary School, Ikhwezi Lokusa Primary School, Phillipstown High School, Zingisani Primary School and Beacon Primary School,” reveals Van der Merwe. He says  they will determine whether or not staff and learners at these schools will need psychosocial support. He urges local communities to adhere to the government’s recommendations with regards to curbing the spread of the virus, like sanitising or washing hands regularly, enforce social distancing and wear masks.

When most grade 7 and 12 learners returned to school at the beginning of June, the Northern Cape Health and Education Departments decided to keep the district closed due to the increasing number of cases at the time. This continued closure of schools in this district affected some 1200 learners and 282 teachers in the area. As it stands the district has 65 active cases and 119 overall cases - the highest in the province. The Umsombovu Local Municipality, which is a hotspot, constitutes 76 of the overall 119 cases in this district.

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