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General News

30 July, 2022

Masks return for some students

A TEMPORARY mask mandate has been issued for Catholic schools in the Cairns region due to the current surge in COVID-19 case numbers.

By Maria Larkins

Mask mandate for Catholic schools temporarily returns
Mask mandate for Catholic schools temporarily returns

As of July 25, 2022, students over the age of 12, all staff, contractors, volunteers and visitors entering school grounds or attending school events will be required to wear a mask. 

Executive Director of Cairns Catholic Education Services, Mr. Bill Dixon, said the temporary measure would be implemented across the 30 schools and colleges in and around Cairns.

“Given the high rate of COVID cases in the region, the risk of COVID within our schools is reasonably foreseeable. Given this, we have a legal obligation to manage this risk. One of the simplest and most effective risk controls we can implement is mask wearing, and this is recommended by government and health experts around the world,” Mr. Dixon said. 

He said although it is recommended that students under the age of 12 also wear a mask this would not be mandatory. 

Mr. Dixon said the mask requirement was a temporary measure and would be removed when the current peak has subsided. 

In addition to mask wearing, schools will continue with general COVID safety measures, including the promotion of cross ventilation in classrooms, COVID cleaning practices, frequent handwashing/ sanitising, and good cough and sneeze etiquette.

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