It seems when one Hunter school closes, another one opens.

Only 24 hours after the NSW Department of Education announced the closures of Irrawang Public, Mayfield West Public and Thornton Public on Sunday 24 October, due to COVID-19, Weston Public and Mayfield East Public have also been told to shut their doors, effective immediately.

The two facilities join Finley Public, Woolgoolga Public, Lidcombe Public, Wingham Brush Public, Kendall Public and Tuncurry Public on the latest exposure site list.

Ironically, all students returned to their respective schools on Monday 25 October after enduring months of home-schooling.

“They’ll be closed until further notice for cleaning and contact tracing after a school community member/s tested positive for COVID-19,” an NSW Education spokesperson said.

“All staff and students are asked to self-isolate and follow the NSW Health advice and protocols.  

“NSW Health has requested anyone who has been unwell or if you develop any symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting or extreme tiredness to be tested at one of the COVID-19 testing clinics.”

On the plus side, Mayfield West Public and Thornton Public will re-open on Tuesday 26 October, along with James Fallon High, Melville High, Mount Druitt Public, Bradbury Public, Bonnyrigg Heights Public, The Rivers Secondary College – Richmond River High Campus, Russell Vale Public, Albury North Public, Bowen Public, Albion Park High, Bringelly Public and South West Rocks Public.

“Each school has been thoroughly cleaned,” the spokesperson said.

“They’ll be open for any child who is unable to learn from home.”

Further information on COVID-19 is available on the NSW Government website    

Alternatively, more details about the NSW Department of Education response to the virus is available on the website.     

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