Gauteng to close early childhood development centres
Gauteng Department of Social Development has announced that all early childhood centres and partial care facilities will be closed as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
The department’s spokesperson Jabulani Hlongwane says they are complying with the measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa to stem the outbreak of coronavirus.
Ramaphosa has prohibited gatherings of more than 100 people and has also closed schools until the Eastern weekend.
“All of us must adhere to the call of prohibiting the gathering of more than 100 people and our response to the call is to close all early childhood development centres,” says Hlongwane.
He says they have released a circular calling for all early childhood development centres to be closed by the 18 March, including special care centres.
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“We are required to put in place extraordinary measures to manage the pandemic, protect the people of our country and reduce the impact of the virus in society,” says Hlongwane.
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced on Monday that South Africa now has 62 confirmed and verified cases of coronavirus.
Hlongwane says they will continue to monitor the containment of the virus and advice parents accordingly.
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