Haileybury Rendall tells students who travelled to China to stay home

HAILEYBURY Rendall students who travelled to coronavirus affected areas over the Christmas break are being urged not to return to school

Haileybury Rendall School has said students who travelled to China during the Crhistmas break should wait at least two weeks after arriving home before returning to school

HAILEYBURY Rendall students who travelled to coronavirus affected areas over the Christmas break are being urged not to return to school until two weeks after their return.

A letter sent from Haileybury Rendall School principal Craig Glass said the school was following government advice.

“We recognise that some of our staff, students and families may have recently returned from regions affected by the virus and while the risk of (coronavirus) reaching the school remains low at this time, we are committed to responding to the outbreak with every reasonable precaution,” he said.

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“If you or your child/children has/have been in the affected areas of China and arrived back after 14 January 2020, we strongly recommend they do not commence school until 14 days after their date of arrival in Australia.”

The advice will also be applied to staff who may have travelled to Wuhan and other parts of China during the break.

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Mr Glass said students wouldn’t miss out on their education as a result of staying home, while the school would continue to monitor the situation and work with health authorities.

“Students who are excluded from school during this time will be contacted by their Head of School where support and access to the academic program will be provided,” he said.

“Our qualified nurse is positioned to respond immediately to any reported symptoms should this occur at school.”

Minister for education Selena Uibo said schools and universities would follow necessary procedures if coronavirus made its way to the Northern Territory.

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“We don’t need to close any of our schools ... but of course we are very aware, very cautious and it’s just being mindful of any procedures that we need to take if there is anything directed by department of health ...” she said.

“We will be looking at precautionary measures (with our Universities), we know that particularly Charles Darwin University ... is making sure we are aware of all the warnings and paying heed to that, but there is no cause for alarm, no cause for panic in this situation.”

Charles Darwin University has been contacted for comment.