Dear Parents & Caregivers
As you would be aware, the Australian Government has announced new measures that specifically address travel restrictions from mainland China.
While there remains a very low risk of transmission in Australia, these preventative measures are being instigated in the interest of public health.
I do not expect that these travel restrictions will have any major impact on our school operations and I want to assure you that we will continue to work to ensure any disruption is minimised.
Our school will be open this week as usual as we progress through Semester 1 2020.
As always, the health and wellbeing of our students remains our number one priority and I would ask that you remain alert to your child’s/children’s wellbeing during this time. Children can have a range of reactions during an event like this and, as always, teacher and guidance support is available. If you have any concerns, please discuss them with your child’s teacher.
We continue to take advice from Queensland Health and the Department of Education in relation to this matter and the latest information is available at Novel Coronavirus on the Queensland Health website.
Queensland had already announced and enacted restrictions last week for travellers who had visited China (including Hong Kong), and I reiterate this earlier advice from our health agencies, which remains current:
- anyone who has been in contact with any confirmed Novel Coronavirus cases must self-isolate (self-isolation means staying at home and not accepting visitors) for 14 days following exposure;
- travellers who have visited Hubei Province of China need to self-isolate for 14 days after leaving Hubei Province (noting that the Australian Government has announced this now applies to all of mainland China as explained above);
- returned travellers who have visited China cannot attend school, childcare or TAFE for 14 days after leaving China including Hong Kong.
On a personal level, can I ask that as a school community we all look out for and support each other during this time.
Again, thank you for your understanding and attention to this important matter.
Yours sincerely
Mark Rickard
Principal