COVID-19 case causes Oatley Public School closure

A Department of Education spokesman responding to questions from the Leader confirmed that the school was non-operational last Wednesday and Thursday, October 20 and 21, after a member of the school community tested positive to COVID-19.

He said the school was closed while cleaning and contact tracing was carried out.

"Students and staff identified as close contacts were notified and asked to self-isolate in line with advice from NSW Health," the spokesman said.

After a thorough clean, the school was allowed to reopen last Friday, October 22, but only to children who was unable to learn from home.

It is believed the school has since reopened to the wider school community.

While the NSW Government has recently expressed its desire for the community to learn to "live with COVID", school closures following a COVID-positive case are set to continue for the foreseeable future.

Today alone, around a dozen schools are listed on the NSW Government - Education website as being non-operational.

The Department of Education spokesman said its "COVID-Safe measures are designed with NSW Health to maximise safety and reduce the disruption to learning from a positive case on school site".

"Our goal is that no school returns to extended learning from home," he said.

"We have protocols in place with NSW Health to manage confirmed cases of COVID who have been on school grounds.

"This may include temporarily closing a school to support contact tracing and cleaning.

"Where a person tests positive for COVID-19, they must follow the advice from NSW Health and not return until they have been provided clearance.

"Students who are required to self-isolate by NSW Health are supported to learn from home during this time."

He said the NSW Department of Education's response protocols for COVID-19 cases could be viewed by clicking here.