Covid: Back to school plan

THERE were 882 new cases of covid-19 identified in the past 24 hours

On October 25, at the beginning of term 4 students will begin to move back to face to face learning in schools.

However, the government have said some schools in the regions may be returning on September 10, with further advice to follow. And schools may close again in local government areas if cases exceed 50 in 100,000.

Key dates across the state include:

• Mid-September: The government will rollout vaccines for 12 to 15 year olds. 
• October 25: Kinder and Year 1 will return and Year 12 students will increase their face to face learning, which is currently limited to 2 hours per day.
• November 1: Year 2, 6 and 11 will return to school.
• November 8: All remaining year groups will return to school.
• November 8: All teachers and staff must be vaccinated before returning to school.
• November 9: HSC exams will begin and NSW students will not be disadvantaged for university entry, with universities not assessing scores until January. 

Masks: Covid restrictions will be in place when schools return including all staff and high school students must wear masks and primary school children are encouraged to wear a mask. 

Teacher vaccinations: The government has said 70% of teachers have already received one dose of the vaccine and 40 percent have already had their second vaccination. On September 10 vaccination hubs will be available to school teachers and staff to ensure they are fully vaccinated before their return to school.

New covid cases in the regions

• 25 Dubbo
• 9 Wilcannia
• 5 Burke
• 4 Narromine
• 4 Orange
• 3 Wollongong
• 2 Goodooga
• 2 Shellharbour
• 1 Port Stephens
• 1 Cessnock

Sewerage has tested positive, but no cases have been identified in, Tamworth, Merimbula, Picton and Nyngan.

State-wide cases:

• 767 – people hospitalised
• 117 – people in intensive care
• 47 – people are ventilated
• 103 – people in ICU were unvaccinated
• 1 man in his 60 has died, he had only received 1 dose of the vaccine and had underlying health conditions
• 1 man in his 90s has died, he only received one dose of the vaccine and had underlying health conditions