COVID-19 update – 1 August 2021

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COVID-19 update – 1 August 2021

New Queensland Restrictions – 3 day Lockdown

The Queensland Government has announced that 11 LGAs in South-East Queensland (Impacted LGAs) will enter a 3-day lockdown from the 4pm on 31 July until 4pm Tuesday 3 August (Lockdown). Impacted LGAs are City of Brisbane, Moreton Bay Regional Council, City of Gold Coast, City of Ipswich, Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Logan City, Noosa Shire Council, Redland City, Scenic Rim Regional Council, Somerset Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council. 

Restrictions in Place in Impacted LGAs 

During the Lockdown, residents in the Impacted LGAs can only leave home to: 

  • Buy essentials such as grocery and medications.
  • Travel to work if they cannot work from home.
  • Exercise within 10km of your residence.
  • Access healthcare.

The lockdown restrictions also apply to anyone who has been in one of the Impacted LGAs from 1am last night and has or will shortly return to a non-impacted area.  When published, the list of all restrictions will be available here.  ​

Schools Operating in the Impacted LGAs 

  • From Monday, BCE schools in the Impacted LGAs will remain open for:
    • children of essential workers (please note: essential workers are those workers who cannot perform work from home); and
    • vulnerable students.
  • In line with Education Queensland direction, BCE schools in the Impacted LGAs, will commence Alternate Education Provision (AEP) from TUESDAY. 
  • Any students attending school in an Impacted LGA on Monday will receive supervision only.
  • Students in the above categories, attending school on Tuesday, will commence Alternate Education Provision (AEP) at school.
  • BCE school Principals should ensure that sufficient staff are on site on Monday to:
    • cater for children of essential workers and vulnerable students; and
    • enable preparation is completed for the provision of the AEP from Tuesday.
  •  As part of your planning, please consider the possibility that the Lockdown could continue beyond three days which may require remote delivery for a longer period.
  • Any on-campus school activities during the Lockdown should be postponed or cancelled.
  • Year 12 examinations will not be able to proceed until after the Lockdown.  If you are rescheduling examinations, please consider the possibility this Lockdown could extend beyond 3 days in the Impacted LGAs. If the Lockdown continues for more than 3 days we expect QCAA will provide further advice.

Facemask requirements 

  • Students in Years 7 - 12 attending school sites in all Impacted LGAs must wear a facemask while on site. 
  • All staff at all schools in the Impacted LGAs are required to wear face masks. The existing exemptions to the face mask requirements will continue including when necessary to provide instruction.
  • People who have visited the Impacted LGAs must also comply with the face mask requirements when they return to a non-impacted area.
  • The provision of face masks is an individual/parental responsibility but schools should consider having supply of masks to assist with compliance with these requirements after the lockdown ends.
     

BCE schools in a non-impacted area, can continue to operate as normal subject to any existing restrictions. Please ensure that adequate planning is in place should the lockdown be extended to your area.  ​

Supporting each other

Throughout COVID-19 our priority has always been the health and wellbeing of our students and staff. Schools have now returned to a regular routine, with the following preventative measures still in place:

  • implementing and encouraging non-contact sport and games.
  • advising students not to share food, drinks or water bottles.
  • advising students not to share classroom equipment, especially pencils and pens.
  • avoiding unnecessary contact with others, including shaking hands or high fives.
  • promoting regular handwashing with soap; asking students to cover their mouth with an elbow or tissue when coughing or sneezing; and avoiding touching their face.

Supporting families facing financial hardship

We understand that some of our families have been impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19. A number of financial measures are available to enable families to continue their child's education and pastoral care in their current school. Families facing financial hardship are encouraged to contact their school to discuss the financial arrangements which are available including fee concessions and payment plans.​​

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