29 Jan 2020
Information #2 provided by DoE re Novel Coronavirus
The Department of Education is currently working with the Ministry of Health to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation. I would like to update you on yesterday’s announcement by the New South Wales government, issued by the Ministers for Health and Education.
The NSW Departments of Health and Education have recommended that any student who was in China over the past 14 days should not return to school or child care services this week, as the coronavirus’ incubation period can be as long as two weeks.
Students who returned to Australia more than 14 days ago and have shown no symptoms should be able to return to school this week.
The same advice applies to staff in our schools.
The NSW Government has indicated that this announcement, whilst not medically necessary, is a precautionary measure in line with community expectations.
There are a small number of confirmed Novel Coronavirus cases in New South Wales.
In addition and as previously advised staff and students should be excluded from work and school if they are a:
- Confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus – exclusion will remain in place until they are medically cleared to return
- Close contact of a confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus - exclude for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case.
Close contact is defined as living in the same household, 15 minutes face-to-face contact with a person with confirmed coronavirus in any setting, or sharing a closed space with a person with confirmed coronavirus for more than 2 hours.
NSW Health has processes in place to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in New South Wales. Advice about not attending school would be provided to these close contacts.
In accordance with normal protocols staff and children who are unwell with respiratory illness should remain at home until symptoms resolve. As a school, we will continue to follow the Infection Control guidelines which are available on the website at https://education.nsw.gov.au/inside-the-department/health-and-safety/risk-management/infection-control
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you up to date on this matter.
Mia Kumar, Principal