Eswatini opens schools following a year of Covid-19 forced closure
Eswatini opens schools after a year, allows church gatherings and non contact sports.
RUSTENBURG, March 18 (ANA) – Schools in Eswatini will opened at the end of the months after closing down a year ago due to the novel coronavirus.
Acting prime minister Themba Masuku on Thursday, said schools would open on March 29 for the 2021 academic year, using a rotational system.
“We will recall that this week also marks a year since government closed schools and training institutions to protect students, teachers and parents from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“While some classes were eventually opened over the course of the year, the majority of students have remained at home,” he said in a statement.
He said testing, treating and isolation centres have been set up in all regions of the country to ensure easy access by students and teachers who might need those services.
He said the government had paid all due funds to schools, including free primary education and orphans, as well as vulnerable children (OVC) grants for 2020, and the first tranche of 2021 fees.
“In addition, hand washing stations have been constructed in schools across the country to ensure hand hygiene health protocols are enforced.”
Masuku also announced the reopening of religious gatherings, resumption of community gatherings, restart of low-contact sports and the resumption of the sale of alcohol.
Religious gatherings would be allowed under strict Covid-19 health protocols with effect from Friday. Services should not exceed two and a half hours.
Community gatherings would be allowed also from Friday, with a maximum of 100 people in an open venue.
Weddings are restricted to 100 people in a well ventilated venue, observing 1.5 metre social distance, wearing masks at all times, sanitising or washing hands with running water and soap.
Sporting codes classified as low and middle risk, as well as premier league and national first division football would be allowed.
The sale of alcohol would be allowed with effect from Monday, however, alcohol consumption remains strictly for home consumption.
Liquor outlets would operate from Monday to Thursday between 9am and 5pm.
Public transport would be allowed to load 100 sitting capacity with no passengers standing with effect from Friday.
Other gathering such as memorial services, night services and vigils, kufukama (mourning period) and parties remained prohibited.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay