We would like to provide you with the latest update in regards to the closure of the School and Centre.
The School Leadership Team has been in joint communication with the medical experts from the Department of Health (DHHS) and the Department of Education and Training (DET).
Based on their advice we would like to confirm that at this stage, the following steps will be taken, keeping in mind that the situation is fluid:
YESHIVAH – BETH RIVKAH COLLEGES: The School, including the Early Learning Centre and Creche, will remain closed for the next two days and we will update you before Shabbos. This also includes all after school activities provided by either the school or Chabad Youth. Tomorrow we will send updated communications regarding the learning instruction over the next 2 days.
YESHIVAH CENTRE: The Centre (including Shules and Mikveh) will remain closed through Friday. We will update you by then regarding Shabbos services.
During the next 2 days the School and Centre premises will undergo a deep clean to ensure it is ready to receive the community back, having taken the utmost caution and care for the safety and wellbeing of our stakeholders.
Due to the proactive stance that the School and Centre have taken, the DHHS and DET now advise that unless you have flu like symptoms, or you are contacted by DHHS as someone who has been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive, you are no longer required to be isolated. This means that parents may attend work, siblings who attend other schools may go to their school, men are able to daven in other minyanim within the community, parties may be held (all subject to the guidelines of those particular venues).
If you have flu like symptoms you are to immediately contact your local GP or health practitioner.
If you are considered to have been in direct contact with someone who has tested positive, you will be contacted by DHHS and be required to quarantine for 14 days. The DHHS defines direct contact as being within 1.5 metres for more than 15 minutes. They do not define hand shaking as direct contact.
If you are advised otherwise by a health practitioner, then you are to follow the guidance of your health practitioner. However as a school and community centre, we are guided by the medical experts at DHHS and DET and will continue to follow their recommendations.
Over the next 2 days we will continue to communicate with DHHS. Please understand that the situation does remain fluid and this communication is based on our latest updates. Should the situation change, we will ensure to update you.
We continue to urge you to maintain strong hygiene practices and ask you to refer to our FAQ page on our school website for details on hygiene, as well as advice on how to speak with your children to reduce any anxiety they may be feeling. We will also continue to update our FAQ page as questions arise.
We commend and acknowledge the community's positive response to the proactive stance taken by the school and Centre. We once again would like to thank you all for your continued support, understanding and patience.
Only blessings,
Dr Shimon Waronker
Principal Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah Colleges
On behalf of the School and the Centre