Two New England schools are the latest educational facilities to close their doors after members of their school communities tested positive to COVID-19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Inverell Public School and Armidale's Newling Public School were closed on Tuesday after students tested positive to the virus.
MP Adam Marshall said it's expected the schools will remain closed until "later this week".
In a message to parents and carers, Inverell Public School Principal Alison Campbell explained their campus would be non-operational to allow time for deep-cleaning and contact tracing.
"The safety and wellbeing of our staff and students is of paramount importance to us at all times. As such we will continue to work closely with NSW Health to ensure that all necessary health advice is adhered to," Ms Campbell explained.
"While we recognise this will be disruptive and inconvenient for families, it is important that we follow NSW Health advice and take all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of further transmission to support our community."
Newling Public School Principal Murray Cox said more information would be provided soon.
"We will update you as soon as possible when the contact tracing process has been completed," he said, thanking the school community for their ongoing support.
All staff and students from both schools were asked to self-isolate until they receive further advice.
"There is no requirement to get a COVID-19 test at this time unless you are unwell," Mr Murray noted.
Learning from home resources will be provided for both schools.
NSW Health has requested anyone who has been unwell or experienced symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting or extreme tiredness, to be tested at one of the COVID-19 testing clinics.