Update On School Closures During Coronavirus Threats

There were only half of the kids today in my child’s kindy class. Despite many parents voluntarily self-isolating themselves and their kids, the Prime Minister is adamant that there will be no school closures as yet.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced a number of more stringent restrictions due to the Coronavirus threat. These include elevating the Australian travel advice to Level 4 for the very first time in the country’s history. This basically restricts Australians from travelling to any overseas destination.

In addition, the PM has also banned all gatherings of greater than 100 people in indoor venues. The limit for outdoor gatherings remains at no more than 500 people.

The Advice About School Closures Hasn’t Changed

However, on the subject of school closures, the government is not giving in, despite many parents choosing to pull their kids out of classes.

The PM maintains that keeping kids in school was for the best interests of children, their families and the country as a whole.

“The health advice here, supported by all the Premiers, all the chief Ministers and my government is that schools should remain open,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Morrison used Singapore as an example, saying that schools are still open in Singapore and that despite this, the country has been “effective in managing and limiting the transmission of this virus”.

It’s Different For Younger Kids

“The virus operates very differently among younger people. It has a different manifestation among younger people and that presents a very different health challenge to the broader population.

“Many of us here are parents and obviously we are concerned about the health of our kids and the health advice that I’m happy for follow for my kids is the same health advice I’m asking all other parents around the country to follow.

“There’s only one reason your kid shouldn’t be going to school and that is if they are unwell,” the PM added.

Big Impact

Mr Morrison explained that school closures would have a significant effect on the economy and could adversely impact our health system.

He said that these measures could go on for at least six months.

“So that means the disruption that would occur from the school closures around this country, make no mistake, would be severe. Tens of thousands of jobs could be lost if not more.

“The impact on the availability of health workers, a 30 per cent impact of the availability of health workers is our advice. That will put people’s lives at risk.

Keep Calm And Send Your Kids To School

“So let’s keep our heads as parents when it comes to this. Let’s do the right thing by the country and by each other and follow the proper advice. There is a national public interest here in keeping schools open and our advice is that is not being done at the detriment of the health of any child.

“We need to ensure that when we put these sustainable measures in place that we are doing things that improve the situation not worsen the situation and lessen our capacity to deal with this.”

Are you pulling your kids out of school? Do you think the government should reconsider their stance on school closures? Tell us in the comments below.

37 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 22 Aug 2023
    10:31 am
It was my dream as a kid that school would close like it did during covid

- - LeeLee said
  - 28 May 2020
    2:52 am
I feel like we were flattening the curve so well, I feel like these new changes will drastically effect that

- - Mummyofone77 said
  - 12 May 2020
    4:50 am
So glad to be heading back towards normality

- - DaffyD said
  - 27 Apr 2020
    2:02 pm
I have as per the premiers advice but I want them back ASAP

- - mom19782016 said
  - 26 Apr 2020
    1:31 pm
Australia seems to be doing a good job of flattening the curve

- - rnash02 said
  - 05 Apr 2020
    12:14 am
I was, but we have now been home schooling 10 days

- - mom462038 said
  - 03 Apr 2020
    10:50 am
Most people I know are keeping their kids at home. But then I see some are letting their kids out and about in shopping centres or having play dates. My daughter in law works in a kindergarten. She said only 3-4 kids were turning up each day. She said it was disappointing that a couple of those parents were still dropping there child off because “I couldn’t cope with them home all day with me !” :/

- - amanda said
  - 01 Apr 2020
    10:24 am
It’s such a hard choice in vic we finished up on the Tuesday. On Monday they had 8 kids in class. How are we to send them back at this stage with so many restrictions like can’t take the kids to the park but ok to take your kids to school. We stopped the park 2 weeks ago.

- - RachelKate93 said
  - 23 Mar 2020
    4:30 pm
I am so undecided on what to do. There is barely any kids left in my daughters kindy class so I’m not sure if I should join them and pull her out or keep her in as she is less likely to pick anything up when there’s so few kids.

- - rachelvk said
  - 22 Mar 2020
    5:22 pm
I elected to stop school last Friday. We made the decision to extend our school holidays and self isolate at our beach house. It was a tough decision but we decided being somewhere quieter and less chaotic would be better for our family.

- - mom321515 said
  - 21 Mar 2020
    8:11 pm
They could just as well get the virus from someone if they are staying home. If they are thinking it will take 6 months then that’s 6 months to try and keep your kids at home and away from people. Do we completely shit down everything for a few weeks or so some restrictions for months? No one knows!

- - tessie said
  - 20 Mar 2020
    11:17 am
If the kids stay home from school there’s a good chance that they will be outside and interact with someone who may have the virus but not know it yet. It’s difficult to know what to do at this time. I hope everyone stays well during this scary period.

- - Ellen said
  - 20 Mar 2020
    8:50 am
It’s a strange time. Praying for wisdom for the government to make the right decisions.

- - ashna9 said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    2:13 pm
My kids are going to school still. I will reevaluate each day as to whether it still seems safe.

- - celebrity said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    2:11 pm
I really think it is up to the individual. I can understand parents feeling anxious. Morrison is only doing what he can as no one has ever had to deal with this before. If it is the wrong call we will all know about it.

- - mumma said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    1:24 pm
I haven’t removed my child from school or any after school activites. However every day more and more kids are absent and at sport we had 11 out of 25 kids show up.
I think the government can only take it day by day as more information I and statistics are available and advise us accordingly

- - sars_angelchik said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    1:22 pm
My kids are still in school- things will be devastating if they have to close as we both work full-time. In Tasmania our borders are locked down with no nonessential travel allowed in and a 14 day quarantine on arrival. Good bye to our road trip with our parents over Easter…

- - nadine_hill said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    11:13 am
It’s a personal decision that every parent will face. I believe, provided the child is not sick, he/she should still be allowed to enjoy going to school and seeing their friends.

- - KayFaradela said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    10:08 am
I’m still sending my son to school. I think kids should still go to school if they are well. Going to school means doing physical activities which is one of the keys to good health.

- - rovermum said
  - 19 Mar 2020
    9:21 am
I think if you feel strongly enough about it, it’s your choice to keep your kids home from school. However, you are then responsible for looking after your children at home and not taking them out to places where many people gather. You need to be responsible and care for others.

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Article Update On School Closures During Coronavirus Threats

There were only half of the kids today in my child’s kindy class. Despite many parents voluntarily self-isolating themselves and their kids, the Prime Minister is adamant that there will be no school closures as yet.