Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk delays the school year by two weeks amid the expected peak of the omicron variant. Moreover, those who are in key roles can leave self-isolation and continue their work. The total cases have reached up to 80,563 now. There are 22 intensive care and almost 380 hospitals with the virus. Annastacia Palaszczuk believes that it’s too risky for children to return to school on 24 January. As most of the children are unvaccinated, an omicron outbreak is likely to expand further. The premier doesn’t want the children to return to school until the end of January or early February.
Following the decision, 11 and 12-year students will start remote learning. While other students are scheduled to return to classrooms on 7th February. Palaszczuk told reporters that ‘’ Queensland will be facing its biggest test over the next four weeks.’’ She added, ‘’ the peak will be in the last week of January to the first week of February. During that period, parents will not have sent their children to school. It is sensible, it is logical, to delay the start of the School year so children can be safe, children get vaccinated, and families can be safe.’
Escalate Substantially
’ Furthermore, education minister, Grace Grace ensured that teachers will get full pay. Talking about further delay she said that it is not guaranteed at the moment for anything but we want as much certainty as we can provide. Moreover, Chief Health Officer, Dr. John Gerrard said 22 patients are in ICU, though several people in the hospital were low it would ‘’escalate substantially‘’ for the next few weeks. He said on Sunday, ‘’ so we’re talking in the thousands… and I’ve said that before.’’
Booster shots are necessary for the citizens, almost 45% of those eligible had their booster shots. The Queensland health minister, Yvette D’Ath, said the new arrangement safeguarding food, power, water, and fuel supplies will be retain during the peak of omicron. The new classification will apply to emergency services, healthcare workers, utilities, agriculture, resources, mining, fisheries, freight, logistics, teaching, public transport, essential retail such as stores and supermarkets, major manufacturing, and critical chain supply such as petrol and food. Workers must get their vaccine, test negative to a RAT, wear full PPE, and travel to their workplace using private transport.
