In the event of a major and/or critical incident which impacts St Gerard Majella School, regularly updated information will be posted on our School App and the Catholic Education website: www.cns.catholic.edu.au.

In the event of an emergency we will communicate with parents via alerts on the School App as to the course of action we are taking to ensure safety of our students.

Should it be necessary to close the school in the event of an emergency, such as a cyclone, information will also be sent to local media.

The school community should listen to ABC Local Radio or other local radio stations after 2pm and between 6.30am and 7.30am for these advices.

ABC Local Radio Frequency: Cairns – 106.7 FM or 801 AM

Important information: Coronavirus

30 January 2020

Queensland Health has updated its advice to schools regarding the Coronavirus. Although Queensland Health says the risk to the Australian public is still relatively low it has recommended increased safety measures.

The key advice is that any staff or students who have visited China (including Hong Kong) must not attend school and should self isolate at home (which means staying at home and not accepting visitors) for 14 days after leaving China. This advice also covers visitors to schools including parents and caregivers.

Queensland Health has also emphasised the importance of general hygiene at this critical time:

“Practising good hand and respiratory hygiene may help protect against infections. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing with a tissue, or cough into your elbow, dispose of the tissue into a bin and then wash your hands afterwards. Wash your hands regularly, after using the toilet, and before eating”

It is important that all schools take action consistent with this advice. The safety and wellbeing of our staff, students, and the wider community is paramount.

Further information on the current advice is provided through this link:

https://qed.qld.gov.au/about-us/news-and-media/novel-coronavirus