Taylor Stott
Photo via @couriermail
Organised Schoolies Week events have been cancelled for 2020 after new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Queensland overnight. Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement on Friday labelling the tradition as “high risk.”
Queensland has confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 linked to the Queensland Corrective Services cluster.
School leavers are encouraged to celebrate their achievements by holidaying in the sunshine state and supporting local business’ and tourism operators. Gatherings in residences, including holiday units will be limited to ten people from November 21 to December 11. All guests are required to be registered by accomodation providers as part of their COVID safe plans.
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk sympathised with 2020 high-school graduates stating;
“We understand how disappointing this is for school-leavers, but the safety of Queenslanders comes first and we cannot risk anyone contracting or spreading COVID-19.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk
Students who have already registered and paid for Schoolies Week events are devastated by the news. Year twelve student Simon Birks, discusses his feelings regarding the announcement.
“It’s really disappointing to have Schoolies Week cancelled so close to the end of my final year at school. With our formal and graduation ceremonies already being cancelled due to COVID, I was really banking on at least being able to celebrate schoolies. Of course I understand the health risks but that doesn’t make it any less upsetting.”
Simon Birks
HSC examinations will be concluded in early November.
