COVID-19: Two Sydney schools close as cases rise

COVID-19: Two Sydney schools close as cases rise

Two schools in Sydney’s west have been ordered to close after three students tested positive for COVID-19.

One student from Bonnyrigg High School, in Sydney’s west, and two students from Greenway Park Public School, in Sydney’s southwest, tested positive for the virus, which has spiked in recent weeks as states and territories lift restrictions.

The NSW Education Department said both schools will be closed today with all students learning from home while contact tracing and deep cleaning are undertaken.

“The schools will assist NSW Health in the contact tracing process and both schools will be thoroughly cleaned,” the NSW Education Department said in a statement.

“All staff and students are asked to self-isolate while contact tracing occurs.”

NSW recorded a total of 17 new cases yesterday, including a baby whose family had travelled from Melbourne back to Wagga Wagga.

The state’s Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, has warned that “no border is impenetrable” and that complacency could potentially lead NSW down the same path as Victoria.

“All of us need to be on extra high alert. The next few weeks are critical for New South Wales.”

Meanwhile, the announcement of Stage 4 restrictions by Victoria’s Premier Dan Andrews has left one in seven people out of work.

More than 250,000 employees across the state are expected to be stood down and multiple industries are closed for business while the state battles the second wave of the virus.