Coronavirus restrictions have eased slightly and the return to school is set for May 26.

That’s right, after a month flattening the curve of the COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria and despite the virus still existing in the state, the small number of active cases is now deemed under control and the Premier, Daniel Andrews, has made the first adjustments to returning to a normal way of life.

School students will be back to face-to-face learning by the end of term two, with the first students (grades prep, one and two and year 11 and 12) will be back at their decks on Tuesday, May 26. Students from grade three through to year 10 will resume in class by June 9.

Vulnerable students in years 3 to 10, and children in those years whose parents or carers cannot work from home, can continue to attend school onsite as needed during this period.

What will be a relief for parents, students and teachers who have been working hard to make remote learning as success since the start of term, Premier Daniel Andrews announced yesterday morning that, following advice from Victoria’s Chief Health Officer that it is safe for the community to do so.

Since the beginning of Term 2, most children in Victoria have been learning remotely, limiting the number of people moving around our state every day to help slow the spread of coronavirus.

the number of people allowed at indoor and outdoor gatherings, as well as the activities you can now undertake without breaking the law, including fishing, hunting and golfing (see page 4 for full details).

“Over the past two weeks, we’ve tested more than 160,000 Victorians for coronavirus. I want to thank each and every one of them for playing their part in protecting our state,” Premier Andrews said.

“The job isn’t done yet – and that size and scale of testing will continue to be a big part of our response in the weeks and months to come. But because of that initial data, we’ve been able to get a better understanding of the way the virus is moving through our community. And with it, greater insight into how we can respond.

“As we have worked to flatten the curve, we’ve been telling Victorians there’s only four reasons to be out: shopping for food and supplies, care and caregiving, exercise, and study or work – if you can’t do it from home.

“From 11.59pm this Tuesday night, there’s now a fifth reason to leave home: visiting friends and family – with a maximum gathering of up to 10 outdoors and having up to five visitors in your home.”

These new restrictions and a renewed State of Emergency will be in place until 11.59pm on Sunday, May 31.

IMAGE: Bairnsdale West Primary School prep students, including, Willow-Harper Anderson-Lunn, Ryan Appleyard, Raine Batangan and Keira Bishop, will be back ion the classroom as of Tuesday, May 26, as the State Government begins to ease coronavirus restrictions.