(1). In order to address social distancing requirements when schools reopened on 8 June 2020 and the additional cohort on 6 July 2020 and subsequently on 03 August 2020, and ensuring that each learner will be seated at a desk within the 1,5 meter social distancing requirements; the Department of Basic Education (DBE) released the Standard Operating Procedures for the Containment and Management of COVID-19 for Childcare Facilities, Schools and School Communities which provide guidelines for all administrators on the steps that need to be undertaken in order to prevent the spread and manage cases of COVID-19, which include social distancing. Provinces are providing mobile classrooms for additional spaces, which are provided with the requisite furniture/desks, as well identifying additional spaces inside the school campuses and or around the school to address any additional needs for space. Also in addressing the shortage of desks and space/classrooms, provinces are also implementing non-infrastructure solutions, which include timetabling models to address these shortages that cannot be addressed in a short pace of time. In implementing these, schools will not need additional space and desks to address social distancing. These are:
(2) Provinces, where needed and where possible, procured additional furniture to address the shortages. Schools are also repurposing double combination desks into single desks to address the challenge. However, due to budget cuts and insufficient budgets , the models indicated above are being used to address ameliorate these challenges.
(3) As per (1) and (2) above