COVID19 Safety Management 2022
COVIDSafe Measures for our School
Advice from the Department of Health and Department of Education & Training:
It is the department’s expectation that, through to the end of winter, students aged 8 and over and staff will wear masks when in class, except where removing a mask is necessary for clear communication or when a particular activity requires the removal of a mask.
Masks are not required to be worn outdoors but can be worn when physical distancing is not possible. This expectation should not constrain student participation in the full range of school activities, including music, sport and performances.
Wearing masks is a simple step we can all take this winter to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases and ensure our schools are as safe as possible.
Exemptions for testing and isolation
The period of time when someone is considered a recently confirmed case and therefore exempt from testing and isolation requirements has been reduced from the previous 12 weeks to 4 weeks. This means that staff and children who are household contacts of people with COVID-19 are now required to undertake the testing and isolation requirements from 4 weeks after completing isolation with COVID-19. Previously, this exemption period was 12 weeks.
After the 4-week exemption period, students and staff members who are a household contact of a new COVID-19 case, must follow the rules for household contacts, including reporting this to their school. As part of this they must take 5 rapid antigen tests (RATs) over 7 days and receive negative test results and wear a face mask (if over 8 years old) in indoor spaces. Families and staff will also have to report being a household contact to their school after this 4-week period.
The Department of Education has asked us to pass on their thanks for your support of these important measures.
COVID RESOURCES
The COVID Safe Management Plan applies to all schools, and outlines the key health and safety risks, processes and steps for our community. Please see attached:
Translated resources about COVID-19 for families:
COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to 11
Children aged 5 to 11 can now get the COVID-19 vaccination. This includes 5-year-olds who attend early childhood education and care services.