1 May 2020

Barr eases lockdown restrictions, students may return to school sooner than expected

| Dominic Giannini
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Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Education Minister Yvette Berry

Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Education Minister Yvette Berry said there is no timeline on return to schools. Photo: Region Media.

Restrictions on adults visiting family and friends, and leaving the house for essential trips only, have been relaxed in the ACT after today’s National Cabinet meeting.

Following in the footsteps of NSW, Territorians will now be able to attend small gatherings in other households, and non-essential shopping trips will be allowed provided physical distancing is maintained.

Rules around compassionate travel have also been eased. Canberrans are now permitted to travel interstate to visit family and friends, but Chief Minister Andrew Barr urged travellers to use common sense and only travel in small groups.

A return to face-to-face learning could also occur more quickly than expected in the ACT.

Both Mr Barr and Education Minister Yvette Berry have previously stated that students will continue with online learning for as long as necessary, and just a fortnight ago (17 April) Ms Berry said the ACT was prepared to “deliver remote education for the whole of term two”.

While Mr Barr said it was not a race between jurisdictions to get children back into classrooms, schools may return to normal lesson schedules sooner than expected and the ACT Government was working with school communities to achieve that.

“We are preparing to move to face-to-face teaching during term two if the circumstances allow us to do so in a sensible manner. We believe with the position we are in, and where we hope to be in the coming weeks, that will be possible.”

Ms Berry said there was no timeframe set for a physical return to schooling activities at the moment, but today’s language marked a change in tone from Mr Barr and Ms Berry, although the Chief Minister again warned against complacency, expressing his worry about potential second, third or fourth waves that can break out as a result of one case.

“There is a reality that it is not over yet,” Mr Barr said. “Until there is a vaccine there is always a risk that we return to unsustainable daily increases.

“I would not take this as an invitation for visits of six, eight or 10 adults. Certainly, a family unit can visit with children but this is not an invitation to have large dinner parties.”

While other jurisdictions have moved ahead with easing restrictions, including the Northern Territory which will allow pubs to trade from 15 May, Mr Barr said discussions will continue but no date could be put on this in the ACT because of its unique position as the “nation’s meeting place”.

Canberra will always be at a higher risk as people meet in the capital to conduct their business, he said.

Further changes and reductions to lockdown and social-distancing restrictions, specifically around businesses and outdoor gatherings, are on the agenda for next week’s National Cabinet meetings, Mr Barr said.

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Sally Mitchell2:49 pm 03 May 20

As a teacher I am concerned for the many students in each school who are in unsafe homes. I am not talking about small numbers here. There are multiple children in every school who are at serious risk. We have to remember that for children who experience physical and sexual abuse and neglect, school is a safe haven. It is not simply a case of arguing for our kids’ education. Regular contact with teachers is a vital link in the chain helping social services monitor students at risk. The 6 week summer holidays are tough for these kids. They have now been at home for a second 6 week block with no respite. With what seems to be a minimal risk posed by the virus to Canberra teachers, we need to carefully consider whether continuing to keep schools closed will cause more harm to children than is necessary. I have three young children at home, two of which I am home schooling and one who is a toddler. I am finding it very challenging to manage my children’s learning at home and I am a teacher! I don’t believe it is sustainable nor necessary for it to continue for the whole of term. And I think it would be wise for the government to advise the community of a start date for schools to return. Provide some hope for struggling parents and vulnerable children. For the parents who prefer to keep home schooling, allow them to do so. For teachers who are over 65 or have health conditions, allow them to work in other roles supporting their colleagues on site from home. But we must allow children to return to school, because for many it is their only respite, and for others it is a life line.

Hi Sally, what a well thought out and sensible reply 🙂 Have you signed and shared the petition about schools? https://www.change.org/p/act-minister-for-education-and-early-childhood-development-yvette-berry-reopen-act-schools-for-term-two

Sally Mitchell12:40 pm 04 May 20

Thanks Kitty, I have signed and shared this ?. Keep up the great work.

Sally Mitchell12:41 pm 04 May 20

Thanks Kitty, I have signed and shared this.

HiddenDragon8:09 pm 02 May 20

Some of what was announced yesterday looked like politicians facing up to the fact that people have started voting with their feet, and wanting to get ahead of (or, at least, in step with) that before credibility is lost.

At least, locally, it was done without condescending spin about having “earned an early mark” – which has more than a whiff of the social credit mentality to it, and might best be left to nations which don’t bother with optional extras like democracy.

Do those who were just saying liberals don’t care about kids and teachers have ‘cognitive dissonance’ when they read stuff like this?

Do they ever reflect on their emotionalism over reasoning?

Barr flip-flops depending on whatever NSW does. Fortunately NSW has a sensible premier.

Not sure of on what the flipping or flopping Barr has done. The message from him has been pretty clear and unchanged all along.

Unlike the NSW premier, especially oddly around the initial plan For schools to go online in NSW and the plan for kids to go back. And let us not forget the flipping and flipping over easing of restrictions one day it is no no no, next day relaxed (presumably after pressure from the PM).

But hey you know what I don’t think now is the time to be too critical of any pollie dealing with this. I will forgive Gladys because I recognise that there is so much conflicting information, the situation is changing so fast and external pressures to do certain things. Under the circumstances the lot of them including the PM, Barr, Daniels, Gladys and the rest are doing a cracking job.

But I suspect your comment is just another cheap crack at Barr devoid of fact or evidence because you simply cannot stand the bloke.

Funny I didn’t think the two restrictions that have been relaxed today even applied in the ACT.

I even just googled the restriction on visitors and every article I have found Including one from 2 days ago confirms we in the ACT have always been allowed to have 2 visitors provided social distancing was kept.

It was previously two people total, now the rules are two adults plus their kids.

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