More NSW students will return to classroom learning from the third week of the next school term as the state government considers relaxing recommendations in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian in March said no child would be turned away from a public school in the state but urged parents to keep their kids at home if possible.
At a press conference on Thursday, Ms Berejiklian confirmed the first two weeks of term two in NSW would operate the same as the end of term one, but from week three "there'll be more face-to-face contact for students".
Read more: Premier says principals know best for kids
"We're currently going through the process of speaking to stakeholders, speaking to principals and teachers, to look at the various options and what will work for NSW," Ms Berejiklian said.
"I completely support the notion that we should have more kids back at school but in a reasonable way, in an appropriate way, which means that there is adequate social distancing for the adults in particular."
The restrictions put in place around NSW to stop the spread of coronavirus "are demonstrating an impact ... we can look to areas of society where there can be some relief", Ms Berejiklian said.
"The first natural place for us to look at is school communities because the health advice has been consistent - school communities are safe," she said.
There has been 11 new cases of coronavirus in the 24 hours to 8pm on Wednesday - with a total of 2897 cases across the state. Of those 207 are being treated by NSW Health, with 26 patients in intensive care units - 19 on ventilators.
Leaders discuss school virus safety boost
Authorities will consider ways to make Australian schools safer as the national cabinet meets for the first time in a week, with the prime minister wanting attendances to increase.
Scott Morrison will lead Thursday's meeting with state and territory leaders, some of whom are maintaining strict advice about keeping children at home during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Morrison is worried about too many students being forced into distance learning.
"I'm very concerned about the quality of education that's going to be delivered to our kids this year," he told 6PR radio.
Deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth says the leaders will look at how to make schools safe, but added that won't include teachers being made to wear personal protective equipment such as face masks.
It is a sobering reminder of the realities of a new virus in a community where there is no immunity.
He said there were 136 coronavirus cases, or about two per cent of all cases, in Australians aged between five and 18-years-old.
"It quite clearly affects a lower proportion of children," he said.
Victoria's chief health officer Brett Sutton maintains schools should undertake remote learning for term two, which has just started in the state.
The nation's death toll rose to 63 on Wednesday, with a woman in her 60s becoming the ACT's third victim after catching the virus while travelling on the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
So far, 6447 Australians have caught the disease, with more than 3600 recovered.
Dr Coatsworth said an outbreak in north-western Tasmania showed the risks of the virus.
"It is a sobering reminder of the realities of a new virus in a community where there is no immunity," he said.
Governments are working rapidly to increase intensive care capacity, expand testing arrangements and other health measures.
The federal government is also working on an app to track people's movements that could quickly help trace contacts of those newly diagnosed with the virus.
Singapore, where about 20 per cent of people have signed up to the app, has provided coding information to Australia for development.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg discussed the state of the global economy again with his G20 colleagues overnight.
Mr Frydenberg stressed the need for government to coordinate economic policies, and for central banks to synchronise their actions on monetary policies.
He also reiterated calls for borders to remain open to allow the free flow of urgent medical supplies and equipment needed to fight the pandemic.
The International Monetary Fund expects the Australian economy to shrink by 6.7 per cent this year, more than double the global rate, amid the coronavirus crisis.
Unemployment is tipped to rise to an average of 7.6 per cent in 2020 and 8.9 per cent in 2021.
Australian Associated Press
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