We are fortunate to be updated on a regular basis on the latest developments and guidelines related to the virus situation.

1. The most important thing to remember is if your child is unwell, they should stay at home until better.

2. Latest advisory to schools from the Ministry of Education Thursday 5 March:

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. At this stage, there is no reason that children should not be going to school. Our Directors of Education will be discussing some key notification and planning protocols with the local medical officers of Health over the next day or so – we will be working very closely together as the situation evolves. Today in Auckland was a very good example of the speed with which we can mobilise to support you if and when it may be needed.

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.

The letter that both schools sent to their parents explains this, you can read a copy here: Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

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

3. The following information regarding travel restrictions and guidelines for travellers was forwarded by the Ministry of Education on 2 March:  

Changes to requirements for travellers arriving from Northern Italy and South Korea

The existing travel restrictions for travellers from China and Iran have been extended for a further 7 days.

The Prime Minister also announced yesterday that measures are now in place for travellers arriving from Northern Italy and from South Korea. They will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days (calculated from the date they left South Korea or Northern Italy). They are still able to travel to New Zealand, there is no restriction of access to New Zealand for people arriving from these two countries.

The Ministry of Health has updated their Advice for travellers as a result of this announcement - https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-information-specific-audiences/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-advice-travellers. In summary:

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)

Please continue to refer to the Ministry of Health website and our website, for further information.

4. Handwashing to prevent spread

All schools and early learning services are still in the Keep it Out phase of a pandemic plan. The preventative measures Health is encouraging schools and early learning services to practice are those of good hygiene, which include:

• Washing hands with soap and water 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

You will be aware that advice from Health asks everyone to wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure you dry them thoroughly.