Korakonui School - Small enough to care yet big enough to challenge and inspire

FYI - COVID 19 - Alert Level 2 In Schools

Hi everyone -

I have provided some additional information below about Level 2 within a school setting - just a refresher for us all.

Please read below.

Thanks,

Kind Regards

Rochelle and Kōrokonui School Team


Alert Level 2 - All of New Zealand excluding Auckland region

Alert Level 2 applies from midnight tonight for 72 hours.

  1. Schools are open to everyone, and all children must attend.

At Alert Level 2 the disease is contained but there is still risk of community transmission. It is safe for children and staff to attend school as there will be appropriate measures in place, excluding for children and staff vulnerable to severe illness.

  1. Learning will be onsite with distance learning offered in some circumstances.

Distance learning will be provided for those required to self-isolate, those individuals who health authorities have asked to stay away while waiting for a test result, or those choosing to remain at home because they are vulnerable to illness.

  1. Schools are not classified as gatherings and a range of events and activities can go ahead.

For most day to day activities at schools, the rules for gatherings do not apply. Under the COVID-19 Public Health Response Order, schools are exempted from physical distancing requirements when people are there to receive, provide, or support education services.

However as soon as our event or activity brings people onsite who are not there for education purposes, including students, parents and caregivers, then the rules for gatherings do apply. This would include performances such as school plays, cultural events and sporting activities.

  1. Schools will close for cleaning and contact tracing if there is a confirmed case who was infectious when at school.

Our Director of Education will work closely with us and health authorities should this occur. (Please note this has not happened as of today).  Please contact us if you hear of a confirmed case in our school community.  We would then contact our Ministry regional office if they haven’t been advised about it by health officials.

  1. Face coverings are not required at school or on any school transport.

This includes charter buses hired by the school to transport students and staff. Anyone who chooses to wear a face covering in any setting should be supported to do so.

  1. Sick people must stay at home.

They should seek medical advice if they have COVID-like symptoms and get tested if advised to do so. If that person displays relevant symptoms of COVID-19, tests positive for COVID-19, or has been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate.

  1. We must have a contact tracing system in place.

This includes displaying QR code posters at our entrances, and/or our sign in visitor register.

  1. Fundamental public health measures continue to apply at every alert level:
  • Physical distancing (not touching and not breathing on each other at Alert Level 2)
  • Hand hygiene
  • Cough and sneeze etiquette
  • Regularly cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces.
  1. We have been advised to think and plan carefully before we go ahead with any activity that brings a large number of students together and/or spectators are involved.

Some events may need to be cancelled or postponed when we are at Alert Level 2. Inter-regional travel is possible but only where we are confident the appropriate measures will be in place at the host venue, including requirements for gatherings.

Year 7/8 students will not be attending Otorohanga South School for Technology this week - due to Otorohanga McDonalds being a 'Place of Interest' - we will review this as needed.

We are being advised and supported by our Ministry regional office team.

These are the 'Places of Interest' that could potentially relate to our area, and families:
* McDonalds Otorohanga, 117 Maniapoto Street, Otorohanga on the 8th February between 4 pm - 5.30 pm.
* GAS Piopio - 94 Moa Street, Pio Pio on the 6th Feb 8.30 am - 9.30 am.
If you have been to either of these locations during these dates and times... Please stay at home and get tested ASAP and call Healthline on 08003585453.
Other locations relate to New Plymouth and Auckland and are available on the official Covid 19 website.