The school receives regular updates from the Ministry of Education regarding advice from the Ministry of Health as well as travel restriction information. Here are two key messages shared with the school this week...

1. COVID 19 UPDATE (message from the Ministry of Education)

As you will know the Ministry of Health’s Director-General announced the second confirmed case of COVID-19 in New Zealand.

The parent of two students - one at Westlake Boys High and one at Westlake Girls High - has been confirmed with coronavirus (COVID-19). While this is concerning for everyone, there is no risk to students, staff or others at the schools.

We want to reassure you that we will continue to update you with the latest information.

Some people have been asking when a school might close. The answer is that we are a very long way from that situation. A decision to close a school if that became necessary would be made by the local Medical Officers of Health.

As for the current situation in Auckland – there is no risk to students or staff in either of the schools. The two students have not been infectious while they have been at school, and are not considered infectious now.

In the meantime, we can provide you some further facts from the World Health Organization.

• Evidence from China shows that only 1% of reported cases do not have symptoms, and most of those cases develop symptoms within 2 days.
• Young people 18 years and under represent less than 2.4 per cent of those who have contracted the virus.
• From the data we have so far, COVID-19 does not transmit as efficiently as influenza.

It continues to remain that the best thing to do is to practice good preventative measures, particularly good hygiene:

• Washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before and after eating as well as after attending the toilet
• Covering coughs and sneezes with clean tissues or with an elbow
• Putting used tissues in the bin
• Encouraging staff and students to stay home if they are unwell

2. Information regarding travel restriction

The most significant change in the information I have received from the MoE relates to travel restrictions. The travel restrictions shared with us are as follows:

Category 1 – travellers who have been present in or transited through countries in this category are being asked to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival – currently Iran, China, South Korea and Northern Italy. Note for Iran and China, there are also restrictions in place for who can travel to New Zealand. New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, residents with valid travel conditions and their immediate family, will still be able to come to New Zealand. Australian citizens and permanent residents are also not subject to the travel restrictions if New Zealand is their primary place of established residence.

Category 2 – travellers from countries in this category should be aware of COVID-19 symptoms. They do not have to self-isolate if well. They should self-isolate if they develop any symptoms of concern and ring Healthline (0800 358 5453) if they develop symptoms within 14 days of departing the Category 2 country. Countries currently in this category are Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Italy (noting northern Italy is in category 1)

My advice is that if you are planning any overseas travel this term and have any questions please contact me - principal@konini.school.nz 

For more information, refer to the Ministry of Health website.