COVIDSafe measures for schools

COVIDSafe measures have changed but all Victorian government schools are required to continue to implement important practices to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

Schools must continue to take the important steps of ensuring air purifiers are in use, external ventilation is maximised, good personal hygiene is encouraged and face masks continue to be made available for staff, students and visitors who wish to wear them.

Vaccinations

Staff and students are strongly recommended to ensure they keep up-to-date with all recommended and available COVID-19 vaccinations as vaccinations are the best way to protect individuals, families and school communities from the severe effects of COVID-19 and reduce the spread of the virus.

Vaccination is no longer mandatory for staff or visitors in any Victorian school, including specialist schools.

Rapid antigen testing

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff when symptomatic.

The Department of Health recommends that all Victorians should report their RAT result to the Department of Health online, or by calling 1800 675 398.

Staff are recommended to report a positive COVID-19 test result to their school on the day they receive a positive test result.

Students (or their parents) should also report a positive result to their school, either through the COVID Test portal or by phone or written notification.

All RAT stock held by schools need to be utilised by the end of Term 4, 2022 or sent home with students. This is because RATs need to be stored under 30 degrees, and stock left in unairconditioned buildings over the summer holidays may not be viable for Term 1, 2023.

Face masks

Current advice from the Victorian government is available at Face masks.

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.

Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for at least 7 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.

Infection prevention and control

All staff, students and visitors to schools should practise good hand hygiene, particularly on arrival to school, before and after eating, after blowing their nose, coughing, sneezing or using the toilet. Staff should direct or supervise young students where required.

Management of suspected cases of COVID-19 in schools

A ‘suspected’ case means a person who displays any COVID-19 symptoms who has not yet tested positive for COVID-19.

The staff member, student or visitor who is symptomatic should be recommended to undergo testing for COVID-19. Parents of students who are symptomatic should be asked to collect their child from school and to keep them home until they are no longer symptomatic.

Management of confirmed cases at school

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive to COVID-19 report that result to their employer, school and household. Where a student or staff member is identified as a positive case, the following steps should be taken:

Parents/carers should complete the Student COVID-19 COVID Test Portal if a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test).
Students who report a positive result are recommended to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test should be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.
Staff should report the result of a positive test and request special leave through the Edupay portal.

Maine News

Issue 37 · 18 Nov 2022

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