Crèches and daycare centres will stay open during the lockdown’s modified alert level 4. Under the new COVID-19 regulations, as per the government gazette on Monday, “early childhood development centres will remain open”.
Effective from Wednesday, all public and private schools will close early for the holiday break. The South African Childcare Association informed its members following President Cyril Ramaphosa’s speech to the nation on Sunday night that the restrictions on school closures only apply to institutions controlled by the education department.
“Only the minister of social development can close early childhood development centres under the Children’s Act,” it said.
“We remain open during the level 4 lockdown as our institution is under social development and not the basic education,” says Principal Corne Logan at Little Ashford Preschool in Sandton.
Under adjusted alert level 4, gyms and fitness centres, flea markets, nightclubs, casinos, taverns and shebeens, restaurants, except for takeaways, conferencing, entertainment facilities, theatres, cinemas, museums, libraries and galleries, are to be closed to the public.



