As the rate of COVID-19 outbreaks rise in schools across the state, what actually happens if one occurs in our local area?
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While Tamworth and the wider New England North West has not had any outbreak thus far, here is what happens if a case is detected.
The Department of Education has a panel of approved cleaners which are called upon to go in and deep clean a school facility.
In the rare case where they are unable to make it, a local cleaner is on call as back up.
It is unclear who this local cleaner would be in Tamworth.
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But the department says there are 40 companies on the state's cleaning panel, and 20 of these are capable to be deployed across the state.
"A panel of suitably qualified cleaning companies was established by the department," a spokesperson explained.
"At schools where there has been a suspected or confirmed positive COVID-19 diagnosis, the department implements an environmental cleaning program, in accordance with Australian standards and based on advice and requirements provided by NSW Health."
The schools are closed while the cleaning occurs and the cleaning is under the direct supervision of a local Asset Management Team.
A school is only reopened following the all clear from the cleaners, and verification of this by the management team.
A department of Education spokesperson said they'd worked with Public Works Advisory (PWA) to introduce an enhanced cleaning program at all schools.
"The cleaning involves additional wipe down of all hard surfaces that are regularly touched, such as door handles, light switches, handrails and desks both in classrooms and in teachers' offices and administration areas," they said.
"The specification for this cleaning was developed in consultation with NSW Health."
In May 2020,the department introduced additional cleaning at all schools between recess and lunch break every day.
This involves cleaning bathrooms and drinking areas as well as a further wipe down of high touch points, as per the enhanced cleaning measures.
