Dear Parent/Caregiver

The School is resending information to clarify an email about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) that was sent earlier today. 

The purpose of this Coronavrius (COVID-19) update is to support our Perth Modern School community and should only be seen as additional information to what has been communicated. The wellbeing of our students, their families and our staff is of paramount importance

Perth Modern School is following instructions issued by the West Australian Health Department via the Department of Education. For the most updated information, please refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the WA health authority. Additional updates will be provided as required.
 
While the Department of Health advises that the risk of transmission in Western Australia remains low; they are monitoring the situation and we are acting on their advice to take any necessary precautions for our students and our staff.  The current focus is on preparation in advance of COVID-19 and precautions that can be put in place to slow its transmission.

Attendance at Perth Modern School
Students or staff cannot attend school and need to self-quarantine if they have:

• left or transited through mainland China in the last 14 days, they must isolate themselves for 14 days from the date of leaving mainland China; 
• left or transited through Iran on or after 1 March, they must isolate themselves for 14 days after leaving Iran; 
• left or transited through the Republic of Korea, on or after 5 March, they must isolate themselves for 14 days after leaving the Republic of Korea; 
• been informed by public health authorities that they have been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, they must isolate themselves for 14 days after the date of last contact with the confirmed case. 

The above also applies to all parents/carers, contractors, visitors and volunteers on our school site.

Parents/carers and Perth Modern School staff should notify the school info@perthmodernschool.wa.edu.au  if their child will be away for the isolation period and confirm the date in which they were last in mainland China, Iran or the Republic of Korea.  

International travel

All Perth Modern School international excursions have been postponed until further notice. As of March 9 the current USA Arts and NASA tours have been cancelled. 

Preventing the spread of COVID-19
There are practical and proportionate steps that can be taken to prepare in advance of COVID-19 and precautions that can be put in place to slow its transmission. The Department of Health promotes regular and thorough hand-washing.

Perth Modern School students and Staff and students should:
•         wash hands with soap and water and use alcohol based hand rub (ABHR), before and after eating or prior to food preparation;
•         wash hands with soap and water after going to the toilet;
•         avoid using handkerchiefs;
•         cough and sneeze with a tissue or bent elbow, dispose of used tissues immediately, and use soap and water;
•         avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose.

Students with COVID-19 symptoms
If a student  has travelled or transited through China, Iran or Republic of Korea in the past 14 days AND has respiratory symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, shortness of breath or fever, they should call their GP or call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 and advise them of their symptoms and travel history.
 
Additional Support and advice for parents
Further information is available at www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/coronavirus or the healthdirect helpline on 1800 020 080 for more information on the virus and its symptoms. Education and practical and proportionate steps is our collective focus.