Coronavirus: Australian government urges schools to reopen, claiming children carry low risk of transmission

Australia has averted the high numbers of coronavirus casualties reported in other countries around the world thanks to strict “social distancing” measures and the effective closure of its borders, including internally between states.

The daily rate of reported new infections has steadied in the low single digits, from about 25 per cent several weeks ago, for a total of about 6,500 infections, including 63 deaths.

Australia has closed restaurants, bars and stores deemed “non-essential” while using the threat of fines and even prison to stop public gatherings of more than two people in a bid to slow transmission of the flu-like illness.

However the federal government has said it wants schools to reopen, citing medical advice that children carry a low risk of transmitting the virus. Some leaders of the country’s eight states and territories – which administer schools – have departed from that policy and ordered schools shut.

The divisive issue is expected to be high on the agenda when the national cabinet, made up of state and federal leaders, formed to tackle the crisis meets later in the day, local media reported.

“We need to have a system where the schools are open, providing that form of education, but also providing the online support for those parents who do choose to stay home,” Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.