South African public schools to close as coronavirus cases rise over 400,000

South African public schools will close for four weeks, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Thursday, as confirmed coronavirus cases rose over 400,000. Ramaphosa said it was important that schools did not become sites of transmission at a time when the country's coronavirus infections are rising at one of the fastest rates in the world.

Ramaphosa also said public schools would close from July 27 until August 24, apart from for Grade 12 learners who will take a one-week break and Grade 7 students who will take a two-week break. He added it had been difficult to reach consensus in consultations between the government, schools, parents and civil society on whether schools should be open during the pandemic.