The return of staff to schools in KwaZulu-Natal has been delayed until later in the week as the education department works to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to all schools.
The announcement was made by Premier Sihle Zikalala, who, together with MEC for Education Kwazi Mshengu, briefed the media on the reopening of schools in KZN as well as the latest Covid-19 numbers.
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The change of plan comes as the biggest teacher union, the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), early on Sunday instructed its members, who make up the large majority of teachers and support staff, to refrain from returning to school.
Zikalala also released the latest KZN Covid-19 numbers, with the province's Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu confirming there had been nine positive cases at the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) provincial secretary Ayanda Zulu and DA MPL Rishigen Viranna this past week told News24 they had confirmed the cases through senior officials at the hospital.