NSW decides whether to close schools

Premier Gladys Berejiklian will announce whether NSW will follow Victoria in closing all its schools this week amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Closures loomed on Sunday when she announced a ‘comprehensive shutdown’ of non-essential services within two days.

‘Schools will be open tomorrow, though I will have more to say on this issue in the morning,’ she said when announcing the shutdown.

Victoria closed down all schools in defiance of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s insistence that medical advice recommends they stay open.

Mr Morrison on Sunday night said he respected the states’ sovereignty, and that parents could pull their kids out of class even where schools stayed open.

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday all schools in Victoria would shut down from Tuesday and he would push for other states and territories to follow suit.

Leaders of all states haggled over the way forward at a tense 11-hour meeting of the National Cabinet on Sunday night.

Mr Andrews said ahead of the meeting that Victoria would go ahead even if other states and territories decided to keep their schools open.

Leaders of all states haggled over the way forward at a tense 11-hour meeting of the National Cabinet on Sunday night (Ms Berejiklian speaks with Prime Minister Scott Morrison (centre) and Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy (right) during the meeting)

 

The Victorian school term was originally scheduled to end on Friday and holidays will be brought forward four days.

A decision whether to reopen schools on April 14 after the term one holidays will be determined following advice from Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton. 

‘All measures to be implemented by Victoria are consistent with the health advice provided by the Victorian Chief Health Officer,’ Mr Andrews said.

Some Victorians have welcomed the stance by their leader, others questioned whether the shutdown will apply for child care centres. 

The number of coronavirus cases in Victoria has risen to 296, after 67 new cases were confirmed on Sunday.

Mr Morrison and Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy argue closing schools would spread the disease further as kids would mix with more people if not in class.

Health workers and other essential employees would also have to stay home to look after children, taking them away from where they are most needed.

However, Queensland Teachers Union president Kevin Bates – whose state is keeping schools open – said teachers were frustrated and fearful.

‘What they feel is a lack of concern for their well-being as they continue to be asked to show up to work during an almost total shutdown of society,’ he told Sunrise. 

‘Teachers principals, people who work in our schools and the parents are afraid and angry in many ways.’ 

Mr Bates said some schools had up to 3,500 students – seven times the outdoor gathering limit.

He said  

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday all schools in his state would shut down from Tuesday and he would push for other states and territories to follow suit

The schools closure adds to many businesses being shut down across the country from 12pm on Monday.

Mr Morrison on Sunday night announced the indefinite closures hours after NSW, Victoria, and the ACT unilaterally did it themselves.

On Monday morning the PM insisted such measures were not yet necessary as he tried to prevent, or at least delay, massive economic damage. 

He was forced to change his tune and impose a national ban after the two states and Canberra broke ranks just an hour after he finished speaking.