Facemasks Reintroduced Across South Australian Schools Amid COVID-19 Surge
By 9News Staff
Facemasks will be reintroduced in some Adelaide schools as South Australia grapples with a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Noarlunga Downs and Salisbury Park primary schools have been ordered to mask up once again.
The advice from South Australia Health follows outbreaks in the Year Five and Year Six class at Noarlunga Downs, and the disability unit at Salisbury Park.
Face masks must be work by adults entering the grounds of Noarlunga Downs Primary School.
Education Minister Blair Boyer confirmed teachers and adults at the school will have to wear masks for two weeks.
“We’re in a better position than we were but it does put pressure on the system when you lose staff like that, it does affect students and their learning,” Boyer said.
COVID-19 infections are rising as a fourth wave ripples across the country.
With just three weeks left of the term, Boyer today ruled out mandating masks across all schools and has no plans for blanket restrictions.
“I’m confident with that natural circuit breaker that the summer holidays present, will be enough for us to reset,” he said.
“Hopefully we will be past this wave.”
A total of 715 South Australian students have the virus in week seven of this term. That’s more than double 295 at the end of last term.
Of the teachers, 346 are infected, up from just 72.
With 9000 cases recorded across the state last week, modelling suggests South Australia is nearing the peak of the fourth coronavirus wave.
Original source: https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-update-facemasks-reintroduced-across-two-south-australian-schools/7ca7e870-57db-446c-80f2-4e20a02e3691