Coronavirus NSW: Gladys Berejiklian reveals schools to return gradually in Term 2

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed students across NSW will return to school classrooms with a staggered approach as the number of new COVID-19 infections continues to drop.

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LATEST NEWS

• Six additional coronavirus cases were confirmed overnight

• NSW students will return to school gradually from May 11

• Over 75% of NSW residents infected with COVID-19 have since recovered

• Crowds have returned to Sydney’s beaches with lifeguards enforcing social distancing

Students across NSW will return to school in a matter of weeks as the number of COVID-19 infections across the state continues to plateau.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed face-to-face schooling would gradually resume from May 11 - week three of term two.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says schools will gradually return in in Term 3. Picture: AAP.

It comes as just six additional coronavirus cases were confirmed overnight - a drop on previous days after just 2500 people were tested.

The positive signs will see home schooling wound back as students return to class with a “staggered” approach, the Premier said.

“Initially, it will just be a day a week and then progressively two days and then we hope by the end of term two we will be in a position to have students going back to school in a full-time capacity by term three,” she said.

Kids will return to school from May 11

Schools will also have the capacity to conduct temperature checks on children and additional cleaning will be undertaken at school grounds.

“This is really to ensure not only our school community safe but everybody feels safe within them whether you’re a parent, student or teacher,” she said.

Positive COVID-19 recovery stats

It comes as it’s revealed more than three quarters of NSW residents infected with COVID-19 have since recovered.

Authorities interviewed the first 2,000 people infected with the deadly disease in NSW and the large majority have recovered to full health.

NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said 1,755 people who were initially diagnosed with the virus at the height of its outbreak now no longer have symptoms.

Incredibly, half of those interviewed recovered within 16 days, three quarters recovered after three weeks and 95 per cent after six weeks.

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Beachgoers flock to Sydney’s top spots

Meanwhile, crowds returned to Sydney’s south eastern beaches with lifeguards urging locals to be responsible with social distancing rules otherwise they would be closed again.

Following their reopening yesterday Maroubra, Coogee and Clovelly were packed on Tuesday morning with people exercising.

Joggers and runners pounded the pavement while swimmers braving the 15C overhead temperatures.

Lifeguards were forced to move people on who were sitting on the beach after their swim at Coogee.

“I know you’re just enjoying the sun, after a lovely swim but please can we get you to move off the sand and keep going,” one lifeguard said.

The message was reiterated through speakers across the beach.

“The beach has been opened but only for strict exercise purposes,” it said.

“Groups need to be limited to two people and social distancing of 1.5m must be maintained.

“Unfortunately sitting or sun baking on the beach or lower promenade is not permitted as this is not classified as essential exercise.”

Council lifeguards at Clovelly followed their colleagues at Coogee’s lead quickly moving on locals sitting in parks or on the beach.

Areas near the water had been blocked off by barricades but one was removed on Tuesday morning.

Locals made their way past the fencing to set up by the water before they were moved on by police.

Officers told the crowds they were not allowed to be at this part of the beach and needed to be exercising if they wanted to be there.

Earlier a group of people had been moved on by a lifeguard.

Police arrived at the beach around 10.30 after crowds gathered in the restrictions areas of the beach.

A lack of swell could not keep surfers out of the water at Maroubra.

Dozens of board riders paddled around looking for a wave on the famous break with congestion so heavy at times surfers were falling on top of each other.

Originally published as Coronavirus NSW: Gladys Berejiklian reveals schools to return gradually in Term 2