One Tamworth bus company has moved to reassure parents, they are doing all they can to keep kids on school runs safe, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the Tamworth regional area.
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Three schools have been shut down in the past week, and some parents have even opted to keep their children home, rather than send them to school by bus, citing the increased risk of travel.
Tamworth mother, Jessie Stanton, said she wouldn't be risking her daughter's health despite the fact her school remained open.
"You really don't know who they're coming into contact with at all," she said.
"It's such a confined space [on the bus]."
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Tamworth Buslines provides transport for 34 schools and manager Chris Lanham said his company is doing everything it can to keep kids safe and is following the advice from Transport for NSW, including the need for additional cleaning and ventilation.
"All commonly touched areas are all cleaned thoroughly," Mr Lanham said.
"We're doing everything we possibly can to make sure they're as safe as possible."
Although Ms Stanton said she felt safer keeping her daughter at home, she was worried she would miss out on her education.
"Taking kids out of school and keeping them home as a precaution has it's ups and downs," she said.
"Because we're not locked down you're not getting the stay at home packs."
Despite extra efforts taken by the bus line, Ms Stanton said more action was needed.
"A six-year-old doesn't have a phone," she said.
"We need to be able to contact trace them when they're not with us," she said.
Ms Stanton suggested a QR code on bus passes that the driver could scan would ease the worry of parents and help get kids back to the books.
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