The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) continues to monitor the situation in early learning (child care) centres and has not advised the closure of child care centres to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at this time.
On 3rd April the AHPPC produced a statement about COVID-19 in children and early childhood and learning centres stating that:
Childcare services are considered essential services and are encouraged to continue to operate wherever possible at this time, but with risk mitigation measures in place.
Emerging epidemiologic reports on COVID-19 in children show that, while they are less likely than adults to be infected and have severe illness, they are still vulnerable to the pandemic coronavirus.The Committee’s advice is that pre‑emptive closures are not proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time.
There continues to be limited information on the contribution of children to transmission of COVID-19. The WHO-China Joint Mission also noted the primary role of household transmission and observed that children tended to be infected by adults in the household. In China, 2.4% of total reported cases were under the age of 19 years. Worldwide, of those cases under 19 years of age, very few were severe or critical.
You can read the full statement here.
This advice has not changed.
Safe Work Australia (SWA) have produced specific guidance for the early learning sector about managing the risks of the Coronavirus to ensure the health and safety of their workers and others at the workplace.
Eary childcare services should be following these guidelines to the best of their abilities based on their individual circumstances.
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