Labor’s school closure fears as Covid spreads across the state

There are fears school staff shortages that existed before the borders reopened a month ago will worsen with Covid, with some vulnerable teachers not returning to classes.

THE Labor Party fears some schools may have to close if there are not enough teachers because of the spread of Covid.

Labor leader Rebecca White and education spokesman Josh Willie, both parents of young children, want the government to explain how schools will operate when they return on February 9.

Ms White said it had been over a month since borders reopened and parents had been given no information about their children returning to school.

“Like many parents we’re very concerned about what the return to school means for children particularly because the government has no clear plan to say how they might keep them safe at school,” she said.

“Children under five can’t be vaccinated and children aged five to 11 will only have one dose before they return to school and we’re very nervous about what that means.”

Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White with her children Mia, 5, and Hudson, 6 months, and Labor MLC Josh Willie with his children Alfie, 5, and Ted, 3, at Cornelian Bay. Picture: Chris Kidd

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said it was hoped details could be announced before the end of the week after national cabinet.

“There will clarity before the end of the week and information for parents so they can be assured that our schools are safe, that they have a very clear plan for learning at school,” he said.

“I understand parents’ anxiety within the community about the return to school. It would be normal to feel that way.”

Jeremy Rockliff says details about the return to school will be announced after national cabinet. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mr Willie said he feared without proper planning schools may have to close if teachers caught Covid and had to isolate.

He said staff shortages that already existed would worsen with Covid, with some vulnerable teachers not returning to classes.

“There is a lot of anxiety in the community from parents, students and particularly school staff,” he said.

“We don’t want to see schools shutting because the government hasn’t been prepared.

“There were staff shortages before the borders reopened and this will be a massive issue if staff have to isolate.”

The Labor Party fears some schools may have to close if there are not enough teachers because of the spread of Covid. Picture: AFP

Mr Willie said he thought Premier Peter Gutwein was “out of touch by saying the Omicron strain of Covid was mild and parents shouldn’t worry”.

“Of course we’re going to worry, we know there are issues with long Covid and that healthy children can be impacted by Omicron,” he said.

Mr Willie also said the plan for the return to school also needed to cater for students with a disability.

“I don’t want to see kids with a disability segregated because this government hasn’t prepared to keep them safe at school,” he said.

Mr Rockliff said the Department of Education had done an enormous amount of work to ensure students’ learning was not disrupted during the pandemic.

“A lot of work is being done to ensure that our students are learning in a safe environment,” he said.

“We want to ensure a smooth transition back to school and ensure parents are well informed and a good plan is solidly communicated across our schools.”

Number of new Covid cases drops below 1000

A Tasmanian remains in intensive care in hospital with Covid but there has been a big drop in new cases.

Official figures released on Sunday show there are 825 new cases – down from 1139 on Saturday.

There are 22 people in hospital.

It is the first day since January 6 with fewer than 1000 new cases.

A total of 6485 Tasmanians currently have Covid, with 3782 of those in the South.

There were 1980 tests conducted – down from 2163 on Saturday.