Schools in Geraldton will remain open until Easter holidays

Schools in Geraldton will remain open following advice from the Department of Health that children remained a low risk of contracting COVID-19.

WA Premiere Mark McGowan announced today all WA public schools would remain open until the end-of-term Easter holidays, which starts on April 10.

He said WA is relaxing the laws regarding compulsory education so parents can choose to keep their children at home.

“Closing schools is a last resort, but I understand many parents are concerned and want to keep their children home at this time, he said.

“It is for that reason that we will relax the law and provide parents with choice.”

Today, following the announcement, a spokesman for Catholic Education of Western Australia said all Catholic schools in Geraldton would remain open.

The body oversees Nagle Catholic College, St Francis Xavier Primary School, St John’s School, St Lawrence’s Primary School and Geraldton Flexible Learning Centre.

Nagle Catholic College principal Michael Williams said a number of parents at the school have taken the option of voluntarily keeping their children at home.

Strathalbyn Christian College principal Gavin Hirschhausen said the college was committed to continuing to provide education to their students but was also exploring online learning options.

Geraldton Grammar were unable to say this morning if the school intended to remain open until the Easter holidays.

The Geraldton Universities Centre has today suspended on-campus tutorial classes.

A spokeswoman said because of the centre’s mixed-mode model impact on students would be minimal and tutorials would be conducted online.

The Government of Western Australia has declared both a State of Emergency and a Public Health Emergency in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Helpful sites for coronavirus updates:

- The Geraldton Guardian: Local news and updates

- The West Australian: Live blog and latest reports

- City of Greater Geraldton: Affected city programs, shows and events

- State Government: HealthyWA and Coronavirus info

- Federal Government: Commonwealth Department of Health and National Coronavirus Health Information Line: 1800 020 080

HEALTH ALERT: This coronavirus article is unlocked and free to read in the interest of community health and safety. For full access to Geraldton Guardian journalism, subscribe here.

COVID-19 case confirmed in Mid West Western Australia