NSW Premier live now.
6 new cases last 24 hours from 2500 tests.
Schools will return May 11.
One day a week initially, and then increasing.

Kerry Chant now. 2969 cases in NSW total (6 last day). 249 cases currently treated. 149 out of hospital. 21 in ICU, 17 ventilated. Recovery data - 3 weeks after onset cases have been phoned. 1755 recovered.

NSW data from first 2000 cases:

1/2 cases recover at 16 days
3/4 after 3 weeks
95 % after 6 weeks

Children to return to school May 11. Gradual return. Goal to have all children return to normal by term 3. Individual schools to determine most appropriate way to transition. Enhanced cleaning. Stagger pick up drop off and recess. Casual teachers to increase work in Term 2.

Catholic school head now (600 schools in NSW). Notes that first few weeks of term 2 will look like term 1 (largely out of school). Transition back during term 2. Working group to be created to capture learning across sector in online learning by government, this is welcome.

Independent school head. Thanks department of education for leadership. Keen to return to face to face teaching. Notes health and safety issues of students and teachers important. Acknowledges professionalism and commitment of all teachers in NSW in difficult times (here here).

GB now - continue with plan that same unit of work to be delivered if student at home or at school. Q about safety at school - notes that there is now a better understanding of the virus in NSW, additional measures for teacher safety.

GB - vulnerable teachers to have option to stay home, additional cleaning, teachers and students to stay home if sick, social distancing with parents and teachers, staggered drop offs and pick ups. Data will be closely monitored. GB again thanks teachers for their efforts.

Q to make rostering days at school practical for parents with multiple children. GB: Options could include house colour, or alphabetical to keep siblings together. Individual schools have until May 11 to determine which system works for them.

Q if parents want to send their child everyday. GB notes that schools were still open for all children who were not able to be cared for at home. GB says the public schools will accept any child on any day. Notes 5 - 6 % attendance at end of term 1.

GB - there is no foolproof way to guarantee no teacher or child becomes infected. Measures are designed with health advice to decrease risk.

Children to start one day a week in week 3 term 2, and then gradually increase the days until full 5 days by end of term 2. Every school will manage this differently.

Note that teachers will now be able to access a covid19 test if they want one.

Q about testing covid19 for teachers. Temperature checks will be available (but notes that this is not reliable). Chant - any children or teachers can get tested if symptoms. Healthcare, prisons, boarding schools, other communal facilities also have priority for testing.

Another question re are schools safe? Chant says it is important for children to be educated, measures to minimise risk, overseas data says that children do get virus, report later this week coming about local data.

Chant says no evidence in Australia of disease spread amongst children like other infectious diseases. Bigger issue is parents interacting - need to minimise congregation points of adults. There is a report coming this week about this with local data.

Ruby Princess question to Chant. Notes testing reveals a high degree of immunity in many crew members, some crew are still sick - notes that symptoms linger in some.

Q about Newmarch house. Chant notes support from department in this aged care facility. Shout out to hard working epidemiologists who are investigating secondary transmission there, in order to close potential routes of spread.

Q about 1.5 m rule. Chant says might not be possible in every work place, but should be created wherever possible. Reiterates - parents and teachers to have a very low threshold for children not attending school if sick, and tested even if minimal symptoms.

Q to GB re Virgin Australia voluntary administration. Should NSW state provide funds? Says bigger than just one state, not for NSW to sort out.

Police Deputy Commissioner. 49 crew coming off Ruby Princess and into isolation in hotels in Sydney today. Planes will then repatriate using a controlled process in next few days. 1/49 is covid positive, the rest are no risk. Most UK, USA, NZ, Canadian, Irish.

Notes that 100's of crew will stay on ruby princess - needs crew to operate the ship, some want to stay, others wish to return home. Q about risk of outbreak at sea - Aspen medical determining health safety.

Ruby Princess scheduled to sail out of Port Kembla on Thursday.

OMG question to Kerry Chant re NRL team Warriors need to self-isolate! Says she doesn't have details ....

Q to education minister re how many days a week will each teacher need to be at work. Reinforces at risk teachers have option to be at home, casuals to support this. Individual schools will sort teacher rostering.