As South Australia experiences a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, certain schools in Adelaide have been mandated to reinstate the use of face masks. Noarlunga Downs and Salisbury Park primary schools have been ordered to implement the measure following outbreaks within their Year Five and Year Six classes, as well as in the disability unit at Salisbury Park.
Education Minister Blair Boyer has confirmed that teachers and adults on the school grounds of Noarlunga Downs will be required to wear masks for a period of two weeks.
“We’re in a better position than we were but it does put pressure on the system when you lose staff like that, it does affect students and their learning,” Boyer said.
Despite the increasing number of COVID-19 infections in the state, with over 900 cases recorded last week, Boyer has ruled out mandating masks across all schools and has no plans for blanket restrictions.
“I’m confident with that natural circuit breaker that the summer holidays present, will be enough for us to reset,” he said.
“Hopefully we will be past this wave.”
Statistics show that the number of infected students has more than doubled from 295 at the end of last term to 715 in week seven of this term. The number of infected teachers has also risen, from 72 to 346. With just three weeks left of the term, it is crucial for schools and the community to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to curb the spread of the virus.
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Latest information on where face masks are mandatory in Victoria:
Face masks – when to wear a face mask | Coronavirus Victoria
COVID-19 information and advice for Victorian public transport users, including mask advice:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Public Transport Victoria (ptv.vic.gov.au)