Parents start keeping children home from school

Parents have started removing their children from schools and daycare centres as they try to protect their families from the spread of coronavirus.

FOR Margate mum Zoe Barker, the decision to pull her children Liam and Alfie out of school and daycare amid coronavirus concerns was an easy one.

“The kids have a 92-year-old grandma, and while it’s only their father in close contact with her, we didn’t want to take any chances,” she said.

“For us it’s just about reducing the number of people the kids come in contact with.”

ABSENTEEISM SPIKES AS KIDS PULLED FROM SCHOOL

Zoe Barker with her children Liam, 8, and Alfie, 3, who are being kept home from school. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

She said despite pulling her son Liam out of primary school and Alfie out of day care, it wouldn’t disrupt their education.

“If they were of high school age, perhaps I’d have thought differently,” Ms Barker said.

“The education will continue at home. Yesterday we did a maths and English lesson and today we’re expecting a curriculum handed to us from the school.

“We’ve also got education apps we’re following.”

It comes as some Tasmanian schools, including Scotch Oakburn and Southern Christian College, have closed their doors as Tasmania’s coronavirus cases climb.

As of Wednesday night there are 10 confirmed cases.

Premier Peter Gutwein said school closures for shorter defined periods may be considered as part of a suite of more stringent distancing measures later in the outbreak.

More information:

Flatten the Curve Tasmania

Southern Tasmania COVID-19 Community Support Group