According to the province's premier David Makhura and the Gauteng Coronavirus Command Council, as of Thursday 54 schools had been affected by 56 cases reported in districts across the province.

During a briefing on Friday, Makhura said a number of schools still remained closed due to infrastructure issues – specifically the supply of water and the availability of ablution facilities – as well as those affected by positive Covid-19 cases.

On Thursday, 13 schools did not open after schools reopened on Monday 8 June due to infrastructure issues and vandalism, Makhura said.

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Most of the damage caused by vandalism has been to the water and sanitation systems, including theft of taps, toilet pans, seats and parts to the cistern, he added.

Makhura said that chemical toilets have been delivered to schools affected by vandalised toilets or serious water pressure problems.