Jackson School Staff Bulletin

COVID-19 Update

COVID Operational Guidelines

The updated School Operations Guide and COVID-19 resources are now available on the Policy and Advisory Library, on the department’s public website. Please make sure you are familiar with this updated policy as there were a few errors made in Term 2 that would have been avoided if the processes outlined in the guide were followed.

 

Updated Operations Guide

 

Transport of children to school by positive cases

 

From 11.59 pm on Friday 24 June 2022, parents and carers who are COVID-19 positive can leave self-isolation to transport children to or from school in a private vehicle.

The parent or carer must travel directly to and from the school only. They must remain in the vehicle at all times, unless it is reasonably necessary to leave the vehicle to walk the child to and from the entrance of the school safely. They must wear a face mask at all times. Staff supervision at the start and end of the day will continue in Term 3. Families have been asked to notify the office before they arrive if they require their child to be brought to their vehicle.

 

Face Masks

 

DET strongly recommends staff wear masks when indoors to keep our community safe. Household contacts attending school who are over 8 years of age are required to wear face masks indoors unless they have a valid exemption. Everyone including students aged 8 years and above must wear a face mask when travelling on public transport, taxis, or ride-share vehicles. Lawful exemptions continue to apply to our students. We have a large supply of surgical and N95 masks available from the office. 

 

For more information, please visit: https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/face-masks 

 

Rapid Antigen Testing (RATs) & Positive Cases

 

The Victorian Government is providing up to three further deliveries of Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) in Term 3 and again in Term 4 to schools. All schools will receive the first delivery of Term 3 RATs by the end of Week 3. At Jackson School we have adequate supply for the first three weeks of school.

 

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests are used by students and staff when symptomatic. Rapid antigen tests are also required to be used for five days if a student or staff member is an identified close contact of a confirmed case, and they are attending or working at a school onsite. 

 

If staff or students receive a positive test result at any time, they must report this through the Department of Health system (Rapid antigen tests | Coronavirus Victoria) or via the coronavirus hotline at 1800 675 398. Staff must also report a positive result to their school using EduPay, on the day they receive a positive test result.

 

Vaccinations for staff

 

From 11.59 pm on Friday 24 June 2022 (in effect, the start of Term 3, 2022), staff in mainstream schools will no longer be required to meet vaccination requirements to attend work. There are no changes to the requirements for staff in specialist schools as mandatory vaccination requirements remain in place for those working with vulnerable people. This means that staff will continue to be required to have 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine to work in specialist schools. Vaccination remains strongly recommended for all staff, contractors, volunteers, and visitors working at Victorian government schools.

 

Boosters for eligible groups

 

The Commonwealth Department for Health and Aged Care and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has updated their recommendations for a winter dose of COVID-19 vaccine to help reduce severe disease from the emerging surge of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 subvariant infections, and to reduce the burden on Australian hospitals and the healthcare system in coming months. ATAGI specifically recommends that people aged 50 to 64 years should have their fourth dose, while people aged 30 to 49 years may choose to have a fourth shot. 

 

The updated recommendations are:

  • Adults aged 50 to 64 years are now recommended to receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Adults aged 30 to 49 years can receive a winter booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, however the benefit for people in this age group is less certain.
  • The interval recommended between a recent SARS-CoV-2 infection or the first booster dose and a winter booster dose is now 3 months.

Vaccination remains the best way to protect students and staff in school settings. Your ongoing support in encouraging children aged 5 to 11 to get vaccinated, and staff and students aged 16 and 17 to get their third dose, remains critical. The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recommends an additional booster dose of Comirnaty (Pfizer) COVID-19 vaccine for eligible 12 to 15-year-olds who have completed a primary course of vaccination 3 or more months ago and:

  • are severely immunocompromised
  • have a disability with significant or complex health needs
  • have a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

ATAGI also recommends an additional booster of the COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 16 to 30 who have:

  • a disability with significant or complex health needs
  • a medical condition that increases the risk of severe COVID-19 illness.

We strongly encourage you to have a winter booster if you are eligible. As per previous advice, if a person has had a recently confirmed COVID-19 infection, they should delay their next recommended COVID-19 vaccination until 3 months after their infection.

 

Flu vaccinations

 

ATAGI also recommends all people aged 6 months and over be vaccinated against influenza (flu). Flu vaccine can be administered at the same time as the COVID-19 vaccine.  However, if a person is not yet eligible for their next recommended COVID-19 vaccination, flu vaccine should be given as soon as possible.

 

For more information, including how to book COVID-19 vaccines, refer to COVID-19 vaccines and Translated information about COVID-19.

 

Find out more

 

For more information, refer to COVID-19 advice and guidance for schools.

 

DET COVID-19 phone line

 

A dedicated COVID-19 advice phone line is available for principals, teachers, and school staff to ask questions or provide feedback on department services.

Phone: 1800 338 663 Hours: Monday to Friday – 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday to Sunday – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

 

DH COVID-19 phone line

 

A dedicated COVID-19 advice phone line is available for the general public:

Phone: 1800 675 398 Hours: 24 hours / 7 days a week