- Two KwaZulu-Natal matric markers have died after contracting Covid-19.
- However, marking centres around the province remain safe, Premier Sihle Zikalala said.
- He said 110 markers who withdrew were all replaced.
Two matric markers in KwaZulu-Natal have died after testing positive for Covid-19, Premier Sihle Zikalala said on Tuesday.
"We were also informed of the sad news of the passing of two markers. [A day after] they arrived, they complained of health issues and were taken to hospital and they then passed on," he told media.
He was on a visit to assess the marking process at the Umlazi Comtech marking centre, south of Durban.
Zikalala said it was unclear where they contracted the virus, but said the facilities and staff were safe.
"We send our condolences to their families because we have to take that responsibility because they had arrived in the marking centre. Whether they left home sick or not is neither here nor there. These are educators who work with the department and we are committed to keeping them and pupils safe," he said.
Social distancing, replacing markers
Zikalala said that in KZN there were 730 markers distributed and allocated to 30 centres across the province.
"In each class you have at least 12 to 18 markers and ordinarily the class would be taking more than 30 people.
"We are grateful and want to thank the department that even though we are accommodated here in the centres, the accommodation is provided in a manner to abide by safety regulations."
WATCH: @kzngov Premier @sziks briefs media on matric marking centre developments in the province. Two markers have died of Covid-19. @News24 @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/uBZrITMM5v
— Kaveel Singh (@kaveels) January 12, 2021
Zikalala said they were committed to protecting pupils and teachers.
"Ours is to ensure we protect the future of the learners, but equally [to] protect the lives of all those that are marking. We know that initially there were 8 730 who were registered and enrolled to mark, about 110 withdrew, but they were all replaced."
'People are to blame for the surge'
The premier also commented on President Cyril Ramaphosa's Monday night speech, saying the extension of Level 3 lockdown was meant to curb the spread of Covid-19.
"We believe the regulations applied by the president are equally meant to balance livelihood with saving the lives of our people."
WATCH: Premier @sziks says citizens are to blame for the current surge in Covid-19 infections.@News24 @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/nAtUD6mYNG
— Kaveel Singh (@kaveels) January 12, 2021
He blamed the surge on people not following protocols.
"The surge is escalating because we, as ordinary people, should take the blame. We don't follow precautionary measures that are in place. If there are funerals, we would want to follow rituals and that contributes to the spread.
"During funerals, some are attended by more than 50 people and that is not in line with the protocols."
Do you want to know more about this topic? Sign up for one of News24's 33 newsletters to receive the information you want in your inbox. Special newsletters are available to subscribers.