Glen Education is aware of concerns regarding the spread of Novel Coronavirus, which had its origins in Wuhan, China, but has now spread to several other Chinese provinces as well as other countries. Information about Novel Coronavirus, including its symptoms, can be found at the Australian Department of Health website:Â https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov. The website also provides regular updates on the situation.
Symptoms can include fever and cough, sore throat, or shortness of breath.
There may be families who have travelled within China over the summer holidays. There may be some families and children remaining in China beyond the commencement of the kindergarten year due to travel restrictions in certain cities. The containment of such a virus is dependent on individual behaviour.
Exclusion of well children or staff from school or early childhood services who have travelled to Wuhan, China, or any other areas where there have been reported cases, is NOT required unless the following applies:
- The person is a confirmed case of novel coronavirus
- The person is a close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus in past 14 days.
In particular, If you have recently visited areas where the virus has been identified (e.g. the Hubei Provence in China), and have been in contact with someone that has been impacted by the virus, we strongly recommend that you refrain from returning to Glen Education until they have been in Australia for at least two weeks. As kindergarten term commenced Tuesday 28 January, this means that anyone wanting to return now would need to have returned to Australia by Tuesday, 14 January and be clear of symptoms. If anyone has been in the affected areas of China and arrived back after 14 January, we strongly recommend they not commence school until 14 days after their date of arrival in Australia. During this time, please be aware of any flu-like symptoms and seek medical advice.
Accordingly, we recommend, as per above guidelines, that families delay their return to Glen Education, for at least two weeks, if they fit the criteria.
Glen Education will continue to monitor the situation, taking advice from relevant health professionals and the Department of Health guidelines.