Sector enablement and support deputy secretary Katrina Casey said under Level 2, neither distancing nor putting on extra buses would happen because it was not possible to source buses and drivers to maintain distancing.
‘‘Ministry bus services will run to normal timetables.
School buses are a controlled environment where immediate contact tracing can take place if required.
‘‘Our services can only operate where we have drivers, many of whom are in the high-risk category for Covid-19.’’
She said bus companies would take extra measures to make bus drivers feel safe, such as leaving seats near them free.
‘‘Physical distancing isn’t practicable on school buses.’’
The ministry would supply hand sanitiser for pupils and drivers to use on every journey, and there would be increased cleaning and sanitising after each trip.
She said it was each school’s responsibility to maintain up-to-date passenger lists and give them to their transport providers.
‘‘If a student appears sick, the transport company will contact the school bus controller immediately.
‘‘The Ministry of Health will contact the school if there are any cases requiring contact tracing.
‘‘Where a bus services more than one school, the ‘head school’ will hold the master list.’’
She said transport assistance for pupils with special needs would also restart under Level 2 and would run to normal timetables.
Schools plan to practise different levels of distancing depending on pupil numbers and school size.
