Queensland schools to remain open … for now

Schools in Queensland will remain open... for now.

Queensland schools will remain open until at least the holiday break, however it’s up to parents as to whether they send their children.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday confirmed schools wouldn’t be shutting – at least at this stage – amid the coronavirus outbreak.

She also confirmed the state would comply with the host of “stage one” restrictions announced by the prime minister.

“Schools will remain open,” Annastacia Palaszczuk said at a press conference.

“Parents have a choice. If they choose not to send their child to school, they can make that choice.”

Education Minister Grace Grace said parents who keep their children home have a responsibility to ensure they continued with online learning and practiced social distancing.

Ms Grace said the medical advice was that it was safe for children to attend school.

She said cleaning at schools around the state had been increased and large gatherings, such as assemblies, had been cancelled.

But she urged parents to keep sick children at home.

The last day of Term 1 in Queensland is 3 April.

Ms Palaszczuk said the upcoming break would not be a holiday.

“Stay in your state and stay in your suburb,” she said.

“There are no school holidays. It’s not about packing up the car and going to the beach for a picnic or going for a swim on the beach, it’s not about going camping… this is about staying in your suburb.

“We have to do it because this virus can spread and we are now focused on containing that spread.”

As of Monday there were 319 confirmed cases of coronavirus – 60 more than the previous day.

On Sunday night, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that licensed premises in hotels and pubs, entertainment venues, cinemas, casinos and nightclubs would be closed from 12 midday Monday.

Accommodation areas of pubs and hotels will not be affected.

The Stage One restrictions will also see the closure of indoor sporting venues and places of worship.

Funerals can go ahead, but those in attendance must follow the strict four metre rule.

Ms Annastacia Palaszczuk said the restrictions were tough but necessary.

“These are tough measures,” she said.

“There will be more that will be rolled out over the coming weeks and months.

“We must be doing the social distancing – you must be at least 1.5 metres away from each other. And of course, we know that if we are all playing our part … we can absolutely get through this.”