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Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002)

Notices

Directions regarding the reopening of schools and measures to address, prevent and combat the spread of COVID-19 in the National Department of Basic Education, and Provincial Departments of Education, and all schools in the Republic of South Africa

14. Symptom screening

 

(1) All persons entering any school premises, hostel or office must be screened at the entrance.

 

(2) Screening must be conducted—
(a) by the persons who have either been identified by the school or by the Head of Department; and
(b) in accordance with the Department of Health Protocols and section 5 of the DBE Standard Operating Procedures and the DBE Guidelines.

 

(3) All persons who conduct screening must receive the relevant training.

 

(4) Any person who has any COVID-19 symptoms must immediately report such symptoms to the COVID-19 compliance officer of the school, hostel or office or any person designated by him or her.

 

(5) If a person presents with the symptoms referred to in direction 13(6), or informs the COVID-19 compliance officer or designated official of these symptoms, the school, hostel or office must—
(a) not permit the person to enter the premises; or
(b) if the person is already on the premises of a school, hostel or office—
(i) immediately isolate the person, and require that person or, in the case of a learner, advise the parent or guardian, to make arrangements to be transported in a manner that does not place any other person or members of the public at risk, either to be self-isolated or to go for a medical examination or testing;
(ii) assess the risk of transmission, disinfect the area and any official’s or learner’s workstation or sleeping quarters, in the case of a hostel;
(iii) refer those persons who may be at risk for screening; and
(iv) take any other appropriate measure to prevent possible transmission.

 

(6) If there is evidence that any official contracted COVID-19 as a result of occupational exposure, the school must lodge a claim for compensation in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 1993 (Act No. 130 of 1993) in accordance with the Notice on Compensation for Occupationally-acquired Novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), published under Government Notice No. 193, in Government Gazette No. 43126 of 23 March 2020, if applicable.

 

(7) If any person has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and isolated in accordance with the Department of Health Guidelines, a school, hostel or office may only allow the return of such person to the school, hostel or office on condition that he or she has undergone a medical assessment confirming his or her fitness to return.

 

(8) The Minister, in consultation with the Minister of Health, will regularly review the DBE Standard Operating Procedures and DBE Guidelines to ensure that health, safety and social distancing measures are consistent with the current and best practices.