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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 643 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 June 2020 by Hon Donna Faragher

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

CORONAVIRUS — SCHOOLS — CAMP GUIDELINES

643. Hon DONNA FARAGHER to the Minister for Education and Training:

I refer to the answer provided to question without notice 624, asked yesterday, and the subsequent release of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee statement on risk management for boarding schools and school-based residential colleges.

(1) Will the minister table the updated Department of Education school camp guidelines that have been released in response to the statement?

(2) Given a cap is not referenced in the AHPPC statement, and does not appear to be in place for residential colleges and boarding schools, can the minister explain why a cap of 100 people remains in place for recreation camps?

(3) In reference to (2), will the minister consider removing this cap prior to the phase 4 lifting of restrictions, given some schools, which would exceed the cap, wish to book camps for term 3; and, if not, why not?

Hon SUE ELLERY replied:

I thank the honourable member for her question.

(1) Yes, I table those guidelines.

[See paper 3973.]

(2)–(3) As the member is aware, on 14 May I announced that I had asked Dr Andy Robertson, our Chief Health Officer, to request that the AHPPC review its guidelines for the reopening of boarding facilities, and that included school camps. Last night, the AHPPC published its revised guidelines. I can advise that as of 18 June 2020, the restrictions for camp facilities in Western Australia have been lifted to the point that they are no longer required to reduce dormitory occupancy to 25 per cent, reduce sleeping capacity or require single occupancy. However, Dr Robertson reiterated that the maximum number of people to attend a school camp remains unchanged at 100. As per phase 3 of the COVID-19 WA road map, each camp facility is required to have a COVID safe risk management plan in place and undertake a facility-specific risk assessment, analysis and mitigation process to manage the risk posed by COVID-19. The risk analysis should inform the development of mitigation actions that lower the risk of transmission and promote good health, hygiene and physical distancing within the camp facility. On this basis, the cap of 100 was put in place by the Chief Health Officer. That cap is in line with all school activities, including camps, excursions and assemblies. The Department of Education has consistently followed the advice of Health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. I am not in a position to remove the cap, as the cap was put in place by our Chief Health Officer.