KwaZulu-Natal Education says it's worried about the possible negative impact of the fourth COVID-19 wave on school children over the holidays.

The concerns have been heightened by the high transmissibility rate of the new Omicron variant.

The strain has also infected a large number of children in South Africa, with medical experts saying many of the hospitalisations are children under the age of five.

"It will be simply bringing the closure of schools in a couple of days," says KZN Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi. 

"We are worried at the level that when we close schools, when the learners are with us they are very much safe because it is very strict - the adherence of wearing masks, social distancing at school but you find contrary when they are out there with their parents and within our societies. 

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