Term 3 COVID-19 Update

With the new term beginning, there have been a few changes to the Covid-19 guidelines and processes that all government schools are working under. I have tried to summarise the key points below as I understand the regular changes can be difficult to keep track of;

• Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) will continue to be sent home regularly by the school school in Terms 3 and 4. RATs continue to be required by students who are household contacts to attend school (5 negative tests over a 7 day period) or who have symptoms - please note, there is no longer the requirement to test twice each week if asymptomatic. The ongoing supply of RATs to families in our school will ensure that parents and carers will have them should they need them if their child is a household contact or has symptoms.

• If your child tests positive for COVID, family members are asked to continue reporting this to both the Department of Health and the Education Department testing portal. Please also call or email the school as soon as possible if your child has tested positive.

• Where a student is a household contact of a positive case (that is, they have spent more than four hours with someone who has COVID-19 inside a house, accommodation, or care facility) they must inform the school. Household and household-like contacts are no longer required to quarantine as long as they;
  • notify the school if returning during their 7 day period; 
  • undertake daily rapid antigen testing 5 times within the 7 days; 
  • wear a face covering when indoors (if aged 8 years and above or unless they have a valid exception); 
  • are not permitted to visit hospitals or care facilities unless an exception applies. 

• As part of the changes, parents and carers who have COVID-19 can transport their non-COVID-19 children via private vehicle to their primary or secondary school when an alternative person is not available to assist. This means that parents and carers will be able to leave COVID self-isolation to take their non-COVID-19 child to school or school holiday programs via 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.

• The Victorian Government’s advice recommends people over 8 years of age wear a face mask in indoor settings, except for close contacts, who must wear a mask indoors unless an exception applies. If you wish your child to wear a mask at school, and/or they themselves wish to wear a mask, we will ensure they are supported to do that.

• There is no longer be a mandated vaccination requirement for staff working in mainstream schools. This change came in from 11.59pm Friday 24 June, so in effect from the start of Term 3 2022. With 100% of SKiPPS staff triple-vaccinated, this will cause no changes at our school.