Premier: More Students at School and in TAFE

THE Premier has said there are approximately 13 percent of students who have returned to school this week and more than 85,000 people have enrolled in free online TAFE courses, with another 13 courses being added.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was pleasantly surprised by the number of school children who had returned to school, from 5 percent prior to the holidays to 13 percent this week and the government aim to have 25 percent after May 11.

“It indicates the growing confidence that parents have in sending their kids back to school and it might also indicate that more parents are choosing to be out of home when they are working which is also an indication,” the Premier said.

More than 85,000 people had enrolled in 21 free short online TAFE courses and another 13 courses have been added.

Geoff Lee, Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, said, “it is a wonderful opportunity for people to upskill, reskill and even change the job you are doing.”

To view the free online courses on offer visit: TAFE NSW.

Preventing a Spike

The Premier urged people to be responsible on Friday, when restrictions are eased, allowing for two adults to visit other people in their home.

“Please do this responsibly we don’t want to see a huge spike in cases which makes the situation unmanageable and then for us to revert back to what April looked like,” said the Premier.

There were more than 7,300 tests conducted across New South Wales yesterday, with the government aiming to have an average of 8,000 tests each day.

The chief medical officer, Dr Kerry Chant, said understanding the rate of community transmission was key to managing the pandemic and continued to urge people with any cold or flu symptoms to come forward for testing.

“This is probably the single data point that gives me confidence around community transmission,” said Dr Chant.

Health Update

• 7,387 people tested
• 3,016 confirmed cases
• 2,284 people recovered
• 117 people being treated
• 15 people in ICU
• 13 people on ventilators
• 1 death – Newmarch House