The NSW Government has introduced new school restrictions to minimise the chance of student to student transmission of coronavirus.

This is a further crack down on what was in already place following a number of Sydney students testing positive after acquiring coronavirus in known hot spots forcing the closure of a number of schools.

If all schools police these changes effectively and to the government guidelines then your daughter or son will need a negative COVID-19 test result before they are allowed back into the school grounds. Not only that if they attend school with flu like symptoms they will be required to leave the school grounds as soon as is practicable.

From this Wednesday August 19, schools will be required to:

• exclude students and staff with even mild symptoms of COVID-19
• encourage immediate testing for any symptomatic child(ren) or staff
• prohibit return to school for anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 until a negative test result has been reported.
• ensure that adults maintain physical distancing at all times
• ensure good hand hygiene at all times (e.g. upon entry to the school, entry to the classroom and upon exit of the classroom

Staff gatherings should be minimised and social distancing applied with names being recorded if a gathering does occur.

Inter school sports are to be banned altogether with a big question mark hanging over the graduation process of those doing their HSC this year.

The NSW Government ceasing the following activities:

• activities that result in the mixing of students from schools in different regions, such as sporting-related activities, drama and debating.
• school-related group singing or chanting activities and use of wind instruments in groups
• school-related social activities (e.g. school formals, dinners or dances; graduation ceremonies; or parent engagement functions)
• school-related overnight events (e.g. retreats, camps, excursions) as there is increased risk of transmission of the virus in a residential type setting with shared facilities.

While the amount of active cases in NSW is below double digits for the last two days (seven and five respectively) the NSW Government is not taking any chances with school transmissions. Now it is up to the parents to keep their sick children at home and the schools to be vigilant in policing the new policy.