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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-03-24 Daily Xml
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Coronavirus

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:34): Supplementary arising from the answer: what is the health advice from the AHPPC that has led the government to have schools remain open?

The Hon. S.G. WADE (Minister for Health and Wellbeing) (14:34): I thank the honourable member for his question. I will let the AHPPC speak for itself. Its statement is dated 23 March, and the heading is 'AHPPC does not support closure of schools at this time'. I quote:

The AHPPC does not support the closure of schools given the lack of evidence of significant disease in children and the lack of reported major disease spreading in schools. Further, the closure of schools poses a major risk to children's education, mental health and wellbeing, particularly those from low socioeconomic regions, where schools provide an important environment for nurturing and learning. The impact on the critical workforce and potential exposure of elderly relatives caring for children is also of significance. School closure would achieve some degree of additional social distancing but the evidence of its benefit at this stage is minimal. AHPPC views schools as an essential service and strongly supports keeping schools open.

There are significant opportunities to improve social distancing within schools, and we will continue to work to provide advice to the sector. AHPPC will continue to review developing evidence regarding the effect of the disease in children and the role of children in the transmission of the virus.

School closures are likely to be more effective when approaching the peak of the epidemic and enforced for a shorter period. If there is a strong desire to close schools at this later stage, it is essential that an option is provided for children of essential service providers, such as health care workers, to attend school or be otherwise cared for.

AHPPC notes one state has elected to bring forward their Easter school holidays.

The AHPPC has been providing advice, as I said, to both the COAG Health Council and to the national cabinet. Of course, that advice has evolved over time and I am sure it will continue to evolve, but I can assure the people of South Australia that the Marshall Liberal government is committed to a public health response which is driven by the evidence, driven by clinicians, not by politicians. We will continue to respond to updated advice as we receive it.

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