Parents of students at Mt Erin Boarding School have been re-assured their children will be kept safe from an outbreak of coronavirus, even as other similar schools around the nation begin to close.
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In line with advice from NSW Health, the Catholic Education Diocese of Wagga Wagga has decided to keep the boarding house and schools open for the foreseeable future.
"At this stage, we have not been told to close our boarding facilities. We will follow the protocols defined by the government," a spokesperson for the CEDWW told The Daily Advertiser.
NSW Health has advised that boarding houses will close only if a student or staff member at the premises returns are positive test for COVID-19.
But some schools in Victoria, QLD and NSW have revealed they intend to close their gates pre-emptively, before an outbreak can begin.
Prestigious Sydney-based Anglican school Knox Grammar has announced it will close it boarding house, fearing an outbreak on the grounds could spread quickly.
By the end of this week, the school will have sent its 202 boarders - including 80 students from overseas - home.
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But the CEDWW has confirmed it does not face the same risk to outbreak as experienced by the larger metropolitan schools.
"Our boarding facilities will continue to provide, safe and caring environments for our students, recognising the unique needs of the rural and remote communities that they represent," the spokesperson said.
Given the speed at which the situation has been changing around the world though, the CEDWW has confirmed it will continue to monitor changes, and has not ruled out the possible need for closure in the future.
"Catholic Education, Diocese of Wagga Wagga's COVID-19 response group continues to meet twice daily and is in regular consultation with the Australian Boarding Schools Association and relevant government bodies," the spokesperson said.