WATCH: Parents told to limit kids’ social contact

Wednesday 18 March 2020

Parents have been urged to keep their kids away from playdates, parties, and out-of-school activities and gatherings as families prepare for schools to close for at least a month.

The advice came from Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois at today’s press conference on how the covid-19 outbreak is going to impact Jersey’s education system.

It comes on the heels of Jersey’s decision to close all States schools and Highlands College at the end of this week, extending the Easter break to four weeks.

Previously, only over-65s have been recommended to practice ‘social distancing’ – limiting unnecessary contact with others outside of the home – but now the same instruction has been applied to parents and guardians when looking after their children when schools close. 

Pictured: The schools have been closed as part of the island's response to the virus outbreak.

It follows the Government recommending that all large-scale events are cancelled or pushed back.

Senator Vallois added to this by urging parents to “be responsible when attending smaller events” according to their and their families’ “risk profile”. 

She also cautioned that parents should ensure children “social distance whenever possible outside [their] own homes”.

This comes after the Medical Officer for Health Dr Ivan Muscat explaining that “the most effective single measure is social distancing” in combatting the spread of the virus.

The Minister said that as part of this practice, “playdates, parties and out of school activities and gatherings” should be avoided.

Pictured: Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois led the briefing outlining the Government's education contingency planning.

Elsewhere during the conference, Senator Vallois promised that announcements on child care for essential workers; guidance for specialist educational facilities and advice for vulnerable families will be issued this week.

In terms of school closures, the Education Minister said that the Government is inviting early years care and private schools to follow its example and close their doors at the end of this week – doubling the Easter break. 

Nurseries and private schools will reportedly be meeting this week to make their own decisions for their respective approaches. Westmount Day Nursery has already announced that it will be closing from Monday (23 March) as per the Government advice.

Commenting on the decision, Constable Simon Crowcroft said: “In these challenging situations, we have to make difficult decisions for the benefit of the public and island community. I appreciate the problems closing our nursery will cause for parents, but we must do all we can to contain the threat of covid-19 and act on the best advice of our Island’s health professionals.” 

Private school St. George's Preparatory will also be following the Government advice and closing at the end of Friday.

WATCH: Express was live at the Education press conference…