POLICY - SCHOOLS & EDUCATION
Schools Policy - Closure
Local, regional or widespread closure of schools is not part of the PROTECT response because the disease is mild in most.
Educational Facility and Childcare Protocol
Closure of educational facilities, boarding schools and child care centres is, in general, not recommended. People responsible for caring for children should conduct daily health checks on all staff and children.
Children
Children who are ill with Acute Respiratory Illness (ARI) should stay home and not return to the educational facility, boarding school or childcare centre until fever is resolved or their symptoms have completely gone. Siblings of ill children can still attend the facility as long as they are well.
The ill child should be cared for at home or away from other students if remaining at a boarding school. Ill pupils at boarding schools should be cared for in single rooms if possible and kept separated from other students until their symptoms have completely gone.
Staff
Staff caring for students with ARI should limit contact with other staff and students until the ill student's symptoms have resolved. Staff caring for ill students do not need to stay away from educational facilities, boarding schools and childcare centres unless they develop acute respiratory illness (ARI).
Parents
Parents caring for ill children do not need to stay away from educational facilities, boarding schools and childcare centres unless they develop flu-like symptoms.
Published by NSW Health - 21 June 2009