Temperature Screening

In order to support community awareness of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and to help identify children displaying symptoms, all schools should undertake temperature screening of students attending or participating in the on-site supervision program while the Stay at Home restrictions are in place. 

This is an important public health measure to promote awareness of symptoms associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) and to ensure that unwell students remain at home.

Temperature screening at schools 

Students attending or participating in the on-site supervision program at schools will receive a temperature screen every morning before starting school while the Stay at Home restrictions are in place.

Schools will continue to implement multiple entry points where required, to reduce the number of adults congregating at school grounds. All schools will continue to implement physical distancing measures for staff and adults.

Rationale

Temperature screening can be used during a pandemic to identify the presence of fever in an individual. Fever, whilst not present in all cases, is a common symptom of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Temperature measurements in the context of a holistic assessment may help schools and early childhood centres to decide if a child should return home.

Temperature screening will be conducted using non-contact infrared thermometers where possible.

Temperature screening as a public health measure in schools will support the identification of unwell children. Temperature screening does not replace the need for other important public health measures such as hand hygiene, and enhanced cleaning and disinfection.

The most important action that staff, students, children and families can take is to ensure that unwell staff, students and children remain at home.

This fact sheet is to be read in conjunction with the DET guidance for the use of Personal Protective Equipment in education.

Management of students who record high temperatures

• Students or other individuals who are unwell, even in the absence of a fever, should stay home.

Temperature thresholds and required actions

A fever will be classified as temperature reading at or above 37.5º Celsius[1], with the following thresholds and required actions outlined below.

• If a person has a temperature of 37.5º or above on screening, the school should enact its protocols for managing unwell students. It is important that any staff member or student who becomes unwell while at school returns home. While it is unlikely that every staff member or student who is unwell with flu-like symptoms will have coronavirus (COVID-19), there are some sensible steps schools can take while a student awaits collection by a parent or carer as a precaution.
• Staff, children or young people experiencing symptoms compatible with coronavirus (COVID-19) should be isolated in an appropriate space with suitable supervision and collected by a parent/carer as soon as possible to seek the advice of their healthcare professional who can advise on next steps and coronavirus (COVID-19) testing.[2] Urgent medical attention should be sought where indicated. It is not suitable for an unwell student to travel home unsupervised.
• Where staff, children or a young person are experiencing symptoms compatible with coronavirus (COVID-19), the important actions to follow include hand hygiene, physical distance, and where possible, putting on a single use face mask. See DET guidance for the use of Personal Protective Equipment in education.
• In the context of schools supporting children with complex health needs, if the care of an unwell child or young person is prolonged (for example, because it will take some hours for a parent to collect a child) and maintaining distance is not practical when providing direct care, gloves, gown and eye protection could be considered if available.
• Face masks should not be used in situations where an individual is unable to safely or practically tolerate a mask (for example, a child with complex medical needs including existing respiratory needs, and younger children).
• If a staff member is unsure whether a student is unwell it is advisable in the first instance to contact the parent/ carer to discuss any concerns about the health status of the student, and taking a precautionary approach, request the parent/ carer to collect their child if concerns remain.
• Follow cleaning guidance according to the situation of the case. If a student spreads droplets (for example by sneezing, coughing or vomiting), clean surfaces immediately with disinfectant wipes while wearing gloves.
• Staff or students experiencing symptoms compatible with coronavirus (COVID-19) should be encouraged to seek the advice of their healthcare professional who can advise on next steps. Staff and students are generally not required to present a medical certificate stating they are fit to return to an education setting after a period of illness, however, staff and students should not return until symptoms resolve. If a staff member or student is a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19), they cannot return until advised by DHHS that it is safe for them to do so. Staff continue to be required to present a medical certificate in accordance with personal leave policy for periods of absence on personal leave.

[1] https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cdna-song-novel-coronavirus.htm

[2] Steps to isolate the child or young person must be consistent with the DET’s policy on seclusion of students under the Education and Training Reform Regulations that states students must not be confined in a room or area from which their exit is prevented by a barrier or another person.