16 Mar 2020
As you are aware the World Health Organisation has declared COVID-19CO a pandemic. The situation in regard to COVID-19 continues to evolve with an increasing number of countries having sustained community transmission. In Australia the majority of COVID-19 cases are returning travellers or close contacts of cases, but there is evidence of limited community transmission in some states including NSW.
Efforts are now focused on considered actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 in the community and protect those who are likely to experience more severe disease such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions. These steps are also essential to reduce the demands on the health system so that it can function effectively.
Another one of our schools closed temporarily last week following identification of a case of COVID-19.
The department has been planning and operating in accordance with its pandemic plan to support the safety and wellbeing of staff and students.
This is part of the government-wide strategy to ‘flatten the curve’ of confirmed cases so that our health services can meet the needs of those who require care when they need it.
Below you will find comprehensive advice on the actions you can take to support that plan. I urge you to read all of this advice thoroughly and take the time to understand how it impacts on you, your teams and your school community.
The situation is evolving quickly and we will continue to respond to the advice from NSW Health as we receive it. I will be in touch regularly to keep you updated on our plan.
Three actions you can take to help manage the spread
1. Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly.
2. Sneeze into your elbow or a tissue, disposing of the tissue straight away and then washing your hands.
3. Stay home if you are unwell and in schools, send home staff or students who show signs of being unwell through the day.
Masks are not an effective measure in protecting staff or the community from the virus and therefore no member of staff should need to wear a mask in going about their normal duties.
In schools, you have a vital role to play in reinforcing these messages with your students and through the community.
We are now asking you to implement some proactive measures in your workplace. I recognise the importance of leaders being able to make local decisions and we will support you to adopt these changes.
These are sensible measures to protect our staff and communities while maintaining our essential services across early childhood, schools and further education.
To our frontline staff I thank you for your professionalism and dedication to your work. Through the three school closures we have had so far, I have been struck with the calm and sensible response from staff on the ground as they work through the implications for staff and students.
Your work is on display to the whole community and how you respond will affect people way beyond your classroom door. While many are panicking, I ask you to remain calm.
I know some have called for school closures and the matter is triggering significant public debate. This and other public health responses to COVID-19 are being considered daily in meetings between the Australia’s chief health officers, drawing on advice from the national leaders is epidemic management and from the experience with this and previous pandemics.
Our strategy to date is working.
NSW Education is in discussion with NSW Health throughout every day. At this point, case numbers and transmission of the virus in NSW remains low compared to other countries. Our strategy to date is working. If or when school closures become the best way to manage the spread of the virus in NSW, then we are ready to do so.
In the meantime, our schools provide an essential service that enable our healthcare and other essential workers to fulfil their roles.
Your work is essential through these challenging times. I have also included recently updated advice on travel restrictions and a reminder of the need to report any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19.
I want to thank you – particularly those of you working in schools – for your strength and leadership in working through these most challenging of times.
As we all know, things are moving quickly. The department is working closely with NSW Health to ensure we have access to the latest advice on how to keep our staff, our students and community safe. We are following their guidance.
Operational guidelines for all staff and schools
Stay home if you are sick
The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount. If you are unwell with respiratory illness, you should remain at home until symptoms resolve and, where appropriate, seek advice from a medical practitioner (and call ahead first). Remember to also clean your hands thoroughly for at least 20-seconds with soap and water and cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
Support good hygiene in schools
I ask all schools to reinforce good hygiene throughout their school community. This starts with sending any member of staff or student who shows signs of being unwell, home.
Within your school community please make time to practice good hand hygiene. We recommend:
- Supervising hand sanitation, particularly for younger children
- Promoting cough and sneeze etiquette
- Gamifying hygiene rules e.g. to discourage touching face
- Introducing regular hand washing schedules throughout the school day
- Regularly check soap dispensers are full in all bathroom facilities – contact the Health and Safety directorate on 1800 811 523 if you do not have supplies.
Children with chronic medical conditions or immunosuppression may be at increased risk of disease. Please consider special arrangements for these children, such as home-based study where their learning can be done uncompromised. We suggest that a plan be developed in consultation with their healthcare provider.
In the school environment please consider the following:
- Introduction of regular and enhanced cleaning for high touch surfaces
- Use of outdoor settings where possible
- Increase ventilation in classrooms
- Enhanced hygiene and screening for illness among food preparation and canteen staff.
Review after hours school arrangements with your provider to minimise mixing of children from multiple classes and age, and to implement the above hygiene measures in this setting.
Report suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19
All suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 must be reported immediately to the Incident Report and Support Hotline on 1800 811 523. You are also required to inform your Director and/or Executive Director so they can provide assistance and support as required.
Social distancing
A phased social distancing strategy will be implemented from today, Monday 16 March 2020, to support ongoing school and corporate operations. In the first phase of its social distancing strategy, the department will take a number of practical measures to support wider NSW Health containment strategies. Support resources will come out shortly to assist schools and workplaces with implementation.
School assemblies
From Monday 16 March 2020, we are asking schools to look at alternative ways to communicate with students and parents other than through school assemblies.
School excursions
All school excursions outside of your school’s local community should be cancelled until further notice.
Please note, NSW Health has advised that no groups of students should visit aged care facilities or attend other facilities in the local community (e.g. hospitals) where there are elderly people or people with underlying health conditions.
All overnight excursions and school camps should be cancelled until further notice. If you have any questions, please speak to your Principal or DEL.
A number of virtual school excursions are available through the Department’s partnership with Distance and Rural Technologies.
Activities and events
All major Arts, Sports and Initiative activities and events will temporarily be ceased until further notice. This includes whole school sporting events and inter-school events involving three or more schools.
Local inter-school sport and other activities can proceed, but we ask organisers to ensure that as best as possible, reasonable precautions are taken.
Conferences, seminars and gatherings
Schools and corporate staff should not be arranging or attending large conferences or educational seminars. This is part of our plan to reduce non-essential activity so we can focus on frontline services.
Interstate travel
Non-essential interstate travel will be placed on hold until further notice. If you have travel planned for later in Term 1, you will need to cancel your travel or consider rescheduling to a later time. Exceptional circumstances for school travel will be considered by the Deputy Secretary, School Operations and Performance, Murat Dizdar on a case-by-case basis.
If you have any questions or wish to have your travel plans considered, please speak with your Principal or Manager who will determine if this should be referred for further consideration.