At least six Tasmanian Catholic Education schools will be closed — and three others partially closed — on Tuesday following the national recall of coloured sand products by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

Last week, a national recall notice was issued for coloured sand products after traces of asbestos were found.

It prompted dozens of schools to close as the risk was managed and the sand was removed.

On Tuesday, November 18 these Tasmanian Catholic Education schools will be impacted:

Full school closureCorpus Christi Catholic School, BelleriveSacred Heart Catholic School, GeevestonSt Brigid’s Catholic School, WynyardSt John’s Catholic School, RichmondSt Peter Chanel Catholic School, SmithtonSt Cuthbert’s Catholic School, LindisfarnePartial school closureSacred Heart College, New Town (K-5 closed)St Aloysius Catholic College, Kingston (K-4 closed)Immaculate Heart Catholic School, Lenah Valley (Kinder and Prep)

Catholic Education said in a statement: “A number of classrooms where the sand has been present are currently unavailable for use as they undergo risk assessments.”

Why has the ACT closed schools over asbestos sand?

The ACT has closed 70 schools over the coloured sand asbestos scare. Why is it the only jurisdiction to do so? 

“Classrooms will remain closed while assessments are underway. As these spaces are essential for normal school operations, some schools will need to close temporarily while the risk assessment takes place,” the statement read.

“Schools will be sending communications to families to advise of their current status.”

Catholic Education Tasmania executive director Gerard Gaskin said he acknowledged the disruption for families.

“Catholic Education Tasmania is working to resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible,” Dr Gaskin said.

“While expert advice indicates the risk to our students and staff is very low, we are taking every precaution to ensure our school environments remain safe.

“Our communities can be confident that we are acting quickly, carefully and in alignment with professional guidance.”

Further updates will be published on the Catholic Education Tasmania website.